Vol. 507 No. 4
157 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the recent pay award for workshop instructors linked to craftsmen will be reinstated and no overpayment be reclaimed in view of the fact this was an error made by his Department and an attempt to correct it was not made for two months. [16549/99]
The pay award for workshop instructors referred to by the Deputy provided for maintenance of the pay linkage with craftsmen – craftsman rate plus 12.5 per cent and craftsman rate plus 25 per cent. I deeply regret that the initial salary scales which issued from my Department were, inadvertently, incorrectly calculated. As soon as the error came to light it was corrected. The Deputy will appreciate that it is important that staff be remunerated in accordance with correct scales and that any overpayments which were made be reclaimed. However, I have asked each health board to discuss with staff arrangements for recoupment to ensure no financial hardship occurs.
