Vol. 473 No. 3
48 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Health when he will conclude negotiations with chartered physiotherapists in the public health sector who have been in negotiation with his Department for about two years; if his attention has been drawn to the last pay review 17 years ago and to the increasing specialisation and technological advances in their area of works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25070/96]
Limerick East): IMPACT, on behalf of physiotherapists, is currently pursuing a pay claim under clause 2 (iii) — Annex 1 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. These negotiations are complex and are ongoing under the auspices of Health Service Employers' Agency, with a view to arriving at a mutually satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible.
I presume that the review referred to by Deputy Brennan 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 paramedical 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 paramedical disciplines.
In these circumstances, I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that any further comment on my part would not be appropriate or helpful.
