Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 5

Written Answers. - Nursing Pensioners.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Ceist:

87 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the implications, if any, for existing nursing pensioners if the proposed deal for nurses is accepted; if nursing pensioners will benefit from the deal; if there is an element of restructuring to the deal as envisaged by clause 2.3(a) of the national agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17795/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

The talks with the nurses on pay and conditions are primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health.

The talks have taken place under clause 2 (iii) (a) of theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work and they involve changes in structures. The implications of restructuring deals for existing pensioners are currently being considered in the case of several major public service groups, including nurses. While a number of restructuring deals have been concluded to date, the outcome of talks has still to be finalised in the case of several major public service groups. Pending completion of the latter and consideration of the pensions issues generally I am not in a position, at this stage, to set out the effect of such deals on pensions in payment.