Health Board Salaries.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2004

Thursday, 27 May 2004

Questions (150)

John Gormley

Question:

147 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if the health boards, when submitting their salary costings for child care workers, seek finance for this work at the pay scales published by his Department; if they seek finance based on the rates of the Department of Education and Science; and if they seek finance at the Department of Education and Science rates, the way in which it is justified and approved by him when his Department places a much higher value on the work. [16003/04]

Written answers

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The letter of determination for each health board sets out the funding available for service provision. Each health board is then required to adopt a detailed service plan consistent with set financial limits. Responsibility for human resource management within these parameters rests with the CEO of each board.

It is a matter for each CEO to determine the specific appropriate staffing mix and the precise grades of staff to be employed, including staff graded as social care or child care workers and paid at the approved Department of Health and Children rate. Service plan priorities, regional service needs, national pay and employment policies are also taken into account.