Vol. 486 No. 3
174 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the settlement terms which have been agreed in the Labour Court for improved payment to staff in health board funded pre-schools; the cost to the health boards of honouring the terms of this settlement; and if he has made provision within the estimates for this sum. [2427/98]
Health boards make a financial contribution, under section 65 of the Health Act, 1953, to certain pre-school services which cater for children who are regarded as being at risk or disadvantaged. This function is in keeping with the board's overall responsibilities in regard to the promotion of the welfare of children and provision of family support services under the Child Care Act, 1991. Specifically, the Eastern Health Board as part of their child care services contribute via the section 65 mechanism to day care nurseries in the region. The nurseries operate autonomously and are independent of the board in relation to their day to day operation.
The employees of organisations in receipt of section 65 grants from health boards are not employees of the board and do not accordingly fall to have their terms and conditions of employment directly determined by the health boards. In matters of recruitment, pay rates and conditions of employment, the arrangements agreed between employer and employee are not subject to control by the local health board or my Department.
Labour Court Recommendation No. 15671 refers to the pay of 20 Day Nursery Managers and 100 other staff, who are employed in approximately 100 Day Care Centres in the greater Dublin area and therefore relates to the Eastern Health Board area specifically. The recommendation makes provision for the revision of salary for these staff in line with the Department of Education's "Early Start" programme.
The implementation of the award is a matter for the management of the day nurseries and the Eastern Health Board. I understand that this is currently the subject of discussions between the management of the nurseries, the Eastern Health Board, the Health Service Employers' Agency and the trade union IMPACT. Final costings will be calculated by the Eastern Health Board when these discussions are more advanced.
