I presume this question relates to whether the new community allowance for community psychiatric nurses should be passed on to pensioners in lieu of the allowances held by them at retirement. My Department has consulted with the Department of Finance in the matter and has been informed that the community allowance represents a significant increase on the former allowances it replaces. The increase was negotiated as part of a specific deal for community psychiatric nurses. In other PCW or similar deals where existing allowances were made pensionable, this benefit was not extended to pensioners who retired before the effective date of the agreement. In line with this approach, my Department has been advised that the community allowance should not be applied to pensioners who retired before its introduction. These pensioners, however, will continue to benefit from the pensionable allowances they held at retirement, uprated by pay increases, in the normal way.
Written Answers. - Industrial Relations.
117.
Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made to resolve the pay dispute in the case of retired community nurses; if the increase in pay allowances will be passed on to retired nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13875/99]