asked the Minister for Health if he will explain why his Department has deferred payment of overtime rates to junior doctors.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Doctors' Overtime Rates.
5.
The situation has been explained to and has been accepted by the representatives of the junior doctors on the relevant working party. As discussions are proceeding, I do not think it would be helpful to the situation that I should make any statement, at this stage at any rate.
May I ask the Minister why that differential payment of overtime rates which was approved and countersigned by the consultants has been delayed?
I do not want to say anything that could exacerbate the present situation. There are negotiations proceeding at this moment and a direct statement will be submitted to the councils of the Irish Medical Union and the Irish Medical Association. I do not want to be unhelpful, and I am sure the Deputy does not, particularly in view of the number of patients involved.
I am only asking why the decision to defer payment was taken in the first place. That is a sensible question to ask.
I will be able to tell the Deputy all about it when the dispute is resolved, as I hope it will be.
Is it true, as quoted in the press today, that the regional officer was prepared to pay this overtime money to the doctors in Castlebar but the Department of Health refused to sanction it?
That relates to the present matters under negotiation. Deputies will be given full information at a later date.
If the regional executive officer is prepared to pay the sum, surely the Minister can tell the Dáil why his Department refused to sanction it?
I prefer not to intervene by giving no information at all.
Will the Minister assure the House that there will be no further breakdown in hospital services?
I hope there will be no breakdown.