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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - Physiotherapists' Pay Negotiations.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

22 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the last pay review for physiotherapists was 17 years ago; if his attention has further been drawn to the difficulty being experienced by hospitals in filling physiotherapist vacancies; the current status of pay negotiation with physiotherapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24519/96]

Máirín Quill

Question:

47 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the talks, if any, which have taken place with chartered physiotherapists under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; when a conclusion will be reached on such talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24510/96]

Dermot Ahern

Question:

94 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the status of physiotherapists' pay and negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24326/96]

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Question:

103 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the progress, if any, which has been made with his Department on the pay negotiations by chartered physiotherapists under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; the current status of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24400/96]

Limerick East): I intend to take Questions Nos. 22, 47, 94 and 103 together.

I presume that the review referred to by Deputy Lynch is that of the 1978 working party established to examine the grading structure for physiotherapists in hospitals. The report of the working party was circulated in 1979. However, this was not a pay review.
Physiotherapists, similar to all other para-medical professions, have benefited in full from all standard and special pay awards under the various national pay programmes down through the years. The relative position of physiotherapists, in terms of remuneration, has been maintained with those of their colleagues in other para-medical disciplines.
IMPACT, on behalf of physiotherapists is currently pursuing a pay claim under Clause 2 (iii) — Annex 1 of theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work. These negotiations are complex and are ongoing under the auspices of the Health Service Employers' Agency, with a view to arriving at a mutually satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible.
In these circumstances, I am sure that Deputies will appreciate that any further comment on my part would not be appropriate or helpful.
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