asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a recommendation for a £1 a week wage increase for boilermen employed at hospitals in north Tipperary was submitted to his Department by North Tipperary County Council some time ago; and that this approval has not yet been given; and if, in view of the fact that all other hospital staff have now received the £1 increase, he will take immediate steps to approve this increase for the boilermen.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Hospital Boilermen.
62.
I assume that this question relates to tenth round increases in remuneration. No specific request has been received in relation to boilermen in North Tipperary hospitals but in July last general sanction was issued by my Department to all health authorities, including North Tipperary County Council, for the payment of tenth round increases within the general framework of the public services.
I understand that Tipperary (NR) County Council have arranged to make payments within the next week to the boilermen, in line with the payments made to other hospital staffs.
Is the Minister aware that this seems to be a nation-wide arrangement, particularly as it relates to boilermen? Would he take the necessary steps to see that if it is paid in one county, it will be paid to all the boilermen throughout the length and breadth of the country?
There is some confusion about this. Some people wanted it from 1st April or 1st June, and so on. We want them to be paid. The only thing is that we are paying it from 1st June.
Is that agreed, to pay it from 1st June?
Yes.
Would the Minister not consider sending a circular to all local authorities announcing his desires in this respect and sanctioning the payment? Quite obviously, there are some local authorities—the managers, in particular—who are availing of this vagueness not to concede an increase which almost everybody has got.
We circularised them in July last.
They do not seem to have understood it.
Maybe today's publicity will clear up the matter.