Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 6

Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

74 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will outline any outstanding payments of allowances to the nursing profession that were awarded in November 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14532/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The departmental circular sanctioning the application of the revised schedule of allowances, agreed as part of the settlement of the nurses' strike was issued on 30 November 1999.

Certain issues regarding the implementation of location allowances in the mental handicap and mental health services were clarified subsequently by the Health Service Employers Agency – HSEA – following discussion and agreement with the Nursing Alliance. On 10 February 2000, the HSEA circulated relevant employers with the list of acute admission units in mental health services which attract payment of a location allowance; on 7 March 2000, the HSEA circulated relevant employers with details of the implementation arrangements agreed for payment of the location allowance in units for severe and profoundly handicapped in mental handicap services.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the criteria for payment of the location allowance in respect of secure units in mental health services.

On 31 March, my Department wrote to the health boards, on my behalf, requesting that they take such steps as are necessary to ensure that all outstanding monies due to nurses are paid without further delay. The HSEA also took up the issue with employers. The latest information available to me, as of 19 May, concerning implementation in the health boards is set out below. I am not aware of any particular difficulties in the voluntary hospital sector.

Eastern Regional Health Authority/Area Health BoardsOutstanding payment of location allowances in mental health area were scheduled for implementation on 15 May. Outstanding arrears of location and qualification allowances are being processed at present.

Midland Health BoardThere are two outstanding locations, both in mental health, St. Fintan's, Portlaoise, and St. Loman's, Mullingar. Payment will be processed this month.

Mid-Western Health BoardAll increases have been paid and outstanding arrears were processed on 18 May. Outstanding payments in mental health nursing will be finalised this month.

North-Eastern Health BoardTwo outstanding locations are St. Oliver's hospital and Louth county hospital. Payment, including arrears, will be processed this month.

North-Western Health BoardAll increases, including arrears, have been paid.

South-Eastern Health BoardOutstanding increases were paid on 18 May 2000 and arrears will be paid on 18 June 2000. The Irish Nurses' Organisation is updated on a regular basis regarding the payment schedule.

Southern Health BoardPayments, including arrears, in two outstanding locations – Tralee general hospital and Cork university hospital – will be finalised this month.

Western Health BoardIncreases were paid to permanent staff in April. Increases will be paid to temporary staff this month, and arrears to temporary staff will be paid in June 2000.

As the Deputy will be aware the INO has threatened limited industrial action at local level if payment is not made in full by the end of this month. I said last week in my reply to Deputy Penrose that I was hopeful that there would be no grounds for industrial action. Given the further progress outlined above, I do not now anticipate any industrial action.