Public Sector Staff Issues

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Questions (589)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

589. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health in view of the commitment in the PSA to full engagement and detailed consultation with the Irish Medical Organisation and Irish Hospital Consultants Association with regard to changes in work practices that involve their members in the Health Service Executive, if he is satisfied that these requirements have been adhered to in the case of the HSE's recent announcement that new access protocols for 16 and 17 year olds to mental health services have been approved. [56956/12]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the terms of the Public Service Agreement the HSE has a responsibility to ensure that engagement with trade unions takes place, to take account of staff concerns and rights, in relation to organisational and service changes. In addition, the HSE is statutorily obliged under the Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Act, 2006, to engage with the trade unions in relevant circumstances.

I have asked the Executive to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the engagement that took place with the representative bodies in relation to the expansion of mental health services for 16 and 17 year olds.