Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 1

Written Answers. - Speech and Language Therapists' Pay.

Declan Bree

Question:

78 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the European Court of Justice recently ruled that speech and language therapists should receive pay comparable to other health care professionals; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the pay gap for speech and language therapists employed in the Irish health service has widened significantly since 1982; the current status of speech and language therapists' pay negotiations under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11345/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I am having the European Court of Justice judgement referred to by the Deputy examined in consultation with the office of the Attorney General in relation to whether it raises any implications for speech and language therapists in this country.

A pay claim submitted by IMPACT on behalf of speech and language therapists is being processed under Clause 2 (iii) A — Annex 1 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.

While discussions to date have not been conclusive, the management side remains available to resume, with a view to negotiating a mutually acceptable outcome.

In these circumstances, any further comment on my part would not be appropriate or helpful.