Vol. 493 No. 4
116 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in granting pension increases to a person (details supplied); the number of retired nurses still awaiting pension parity as approved by the Government in autumn 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16450/98]
Responsibility for the administration of pension increases to retired nurses rests with the relevant agencies. I have accordingly asked the chief executive officer of the North Eastern Health Board to investigate the particular case raised by the Deputy and to communicate the position to him as a matter of urgency.
As regards the number of retired nurses awaiting pension parity, the position is that the terms of the Government decision referred to by the Deputy were notified by my Department to the relevant health agencies in December 1997. Inquiries made of the eight health boards indicate a dozen cases in which a delay has arisen, but the retired nurses concerned will receive their arrears of pension this month.
