Joe Walsh
Question:67 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health the current status of the pay and conditions of work claims submitted by IMPACT on behalf of speech and language therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10261/97]
Written Answers. - Speech and Language Therapy.
Limerick East): Speech and language therapists, similar to all other paramedical professions, have benefited in full from all standard and special pay awards under the various national pay programmes over the last number of years. The relative position of this profession, in terms of remuneration, has been maintained with those of their colleagues in other paramedical disciplines.
IMPACT, on behalf of speech and language therapists, is pursuing a pay claim under Clause 2(iii) — Annex 1 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. These negotiations are complex and are being handled by the Health Service Employers' Agency with a view to arriving at a mutually satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible.
I assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to resolve this dispute and informal contacts are being maintained to ensure that the industrial relations machinery available is utilised to its fullest extent.