Vol. 491 No. 1
86 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will intervene in the pay dispute by striking Eastern Health Board day nursery teachers; if he will ensure that the Labour Court recommendation is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11475/98]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the situation of day nursery staff employed by voluntary organisations which are in receipt of a contribution towards their costs from the Eastern Health Board.
As I said in the House on the Adjournment last week, the day care nurseries in the Eastern Health Board region are autonomous bodies which are independent of the board in relation to their day-to-day operation. Their employees are not employees of the board and their pay, terms and conditions of employment are not controlled by the board. Consequently the implementation of the Labour Court recommendation is a matter for the management of the day nurseries as the direct employer and I have no function in the matter.
Because the health board determines the levels of funding and service levels, payment of claims such as this would impact on its overall child care services. It is in that context that the board has participated in ongoing discussions between the management of the nurseries, the Health Service Employers Agency and IMPACT on the implementation of the recommendation. I understand that IMPACT has now rejected management's offer and has served strike notice on the voluntary organisations to take effect from Wednesday 27 May.
I appeal to the union to defer its action, which will cause hardship to a very vulnerable group of children and their parents and carers, and to return to negotiations with management and the Health Service Employers Agency with a view to finding some resolution in the context of the Labour Court recommendation.
