Vol. 473 No. 6
119 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health his views on issues raised by the Retired Nurses Association (details supplied) whereby the new Programme for Competitiveness and Work plan will bypass previously retired nurses. [2222/97]
Limerick East): It is the Government's intention that retired nurses and other public servants will benefit from the local bargaining clause of the PCW pay agreement.
The energies of the management side dealing with the nurses' claim have so far been concentrated on developing jointly with the nursing unions a set of proposals designed to bring to finality the nurses' claim under the PCW. The Deputy will be aware that revised proposals arising from the independent adjudication process — provided for in the framework agreed between the Government and ICTU — have been rejected by the INO and IMPACT. The Deputy will be aware that following a further ballot of nursing membership the nursing alliance has voted for industrial action to begin on 10 February.
The pay proposals developed to date involve an element of restructuring, as provided for under the local bargaining clause of the PCW pay agreement. This applies to nurses and many other groups such as civil servants, clerical and administrative grades in the health boards and local authorities, teachers, gardaí etc. who have or are concluding agreements under the restructuring option of the PCW.
Generally speaking, the agreements emerging do not provide for uniform increases across groups and in many cases even within grades. This complicates the position regarding adjustments to pensions and this question will now have to be considered in respect of all affected groups across the public service.
Details discussions on this issue have yet to take place. When this general policy issue has been resolved, my Department will be in a position to clarify the adjustments to be made to the persons of retired health service staff, including nurses.
