Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
743. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that the team in Caredoc is the only national team not to have received the building momentum pay rises and 37.5-hour week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16613/24]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, most of whom hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of GP services to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs contracted under the General Medical Services Scheme are required by their contract to make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum or deputy, for emergencies outside of normal practice hours. While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out of hours co-operatives as a means of meeting the contractual requirement, such services facilitate the provision of GP services outside of normal surgery hours and fulfil their obligations under Section 58 of the Health Act 1970.
Caredoc is a private company, not a public service organisation and, as such, staff employed by Caredoc do not fall under the current Public Service Agreement, Building Momentum. Building Momentum was agreed between public sector unions and the State and the agreement set out matters such as reform measures, industrial relations processes and pay rises for public servants. Only public service staff encompassed by the agreement benefitted from the pay rises.
Caredoc is privately owned and run and the terms and conditions of employment of their staff, once in line with employment legislation, is strictly between the employer and the employee. Caredoc is not and have not been party to the Public Service Agreements.
