Vol. 477 No. 7
76 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that the rates of pension payments for retired nurses will retain parity with the payment scales for serving staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10299/97]
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.
Consideration is being given to the implications of the restructuring deals for existing pensioners and pensions increase policy across the public service. Discussions are ongoing between the Department of Finance and the Public Services Committee of ICTU about this matter. 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.
