Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:123 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the current position on the negotiations for improved terms and conditions for physiotherapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7973/97]
Written Answers. - Physiotherapy and Speech Therapy Negotiations.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:124 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the current position on the negotiations for improved terms and conditions for speech therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7974/97]
Limerick East): I wish to take Questions Nos. 123 and 124 together.
Physiotherapists and speech and language therapists, similar to all other paramedical professions, have benefited in full from all standard and special pay awards under the various national pay programmes down through the years. The relative position of both professions, in terms of remuneration, has been maintained with those of their colleagues in other paramedical disciplines.
IMPACT, on behalf of physiotherapists and speech and language therapists was pursuing a pay claim under Clause 2 (iii) — Annex 1 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. These negotiations were complex and were ongoing under the auspices of the Health Service Employers' Agency until recently with a view to arriving at a mutually satisfactory conclusion as soon as possible. However, as the recent widespread media coverage has indicated, IMPACT has now opted to ballot a number of paramedic professions including physiotherapists and speech and language therapists, with a view to strike action in the coming weeks. In these circumstances, I am sure that you will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment at this point.