Vol. 401 No. 5
22 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health if he will improve the special increments that are paid to specialist nursing grades such as operating theatre and intensive care work, in view of the current difficulties in recruiting specialist staff due to high levels of emigration.
Improvements in pay and conditions of nurses are negotiated through the agreed industrial relations procedures. These procedures provide an equal opportunity for both management and staff to discuss the relevant issues in detail.
Nurses are currently benefiting from special pay increases amounting to 16 per cent, over and above the standard increases under the Programme for National Recovery, which are being implemented in accordance with the terms of the programme. A reduction of one hour in the working week of nurses has been agreed and nurses have also received the full benefit of the various national pay rounds.
A claim for a major review of gradings and differentials plus a substantial upward adjustment in salary for all grades of nurse has been submitted by the unions under the conciliation and arbitration scheme.
Against this background, it would be inappropriate for me to intervene in the manner suggested by the Deputy.
