Vol. 476 No. 1
63 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the Government's position on the payment in full of pension rights to retired nurses in view of the increase finally agreed with the nursing unions following the pay review. [6450/97]
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 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 concluded 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.
Detailed 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 retired health service staff, including nurses.
