Vol. 481 No. 2
102 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the current position regarding the future adjustment of pensions payable to retired nursing staff in the context of ongoing salary increases payable to nurses currently employed in the health service. [16010/97]
119 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Department of Finance and the Public Services Committee of ICTU have reached a decision on the rate of pension to be paid to retired nurses as referred to by the then Minister for Health in reply to a parliamentary question on 7 May 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15946/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 119 together.
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 and gardaí, 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 is being considered in respect of all affected groups across the public service.
Discussions took place between the Department of Finance and the Public Services Committee of ICTU about this matter. Consideration is still being given to the implications of the restructuring deals for existing pensioners and pensions increase policy across the public service. 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.
