Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2015
381. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the status of industrial processes established in his area under side deals concluded with trade unions in parallel with the Lansdowne Road talks in May 2015; the details of any agreements concluded to date on foot of such processes; and the costs, including anticipated costs in future years, of any agreements reached. [40221/15]
View answerA range of matters raised by the unions during the Lansdowne Road pay talks were addressed in a series of Chairman's notes. Some of the issues raised, including the grading of Hospital Group Directors of Nursing, have been brought to a conclusion. Agreement was reached that interns taking part in the Intern Scheme for Health Support Staff would be regularised into support staff positions after eighteen months of satisfactory service and a circular outlining this change to the scheme was issued this week. Nurse pay and working hours issues are being addressed in structured processes. The transfer of some tasks from NCHDs to nurses is being progressed through a series of engagements under an independent chair. Further processes will be convened shortly in respect of job evaluations in the health sector and matters raised in relation to section 39 bodies.
