Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 1

Written Answers. - Speech and Language Therapists' Pay.

Brian Cowen

Question:

56 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a fair pay settlement for speech and language therapists will be agreed in order to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the speech and language therapy service for the purposes of establishing its importance and value within the health care system and remunerating therapists accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6406/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): As the Deputy is aware, the talks between my Department and IMPACT on behalf of speech and language therapists are complex. However, negotiations are on-going, 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 any further comment on my part would not be appropriate or helpful.