Derek McDowell
Ceist:145 Mr. D. McDowell asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the implications for the pensions of retired nurses of the Labour Court recommendations on nurses' remuneration. [8183/97]
Written Answers. - Nurses' Pensions.
Limerick East): It is the Government's intention that retired nurses and other public servants will benefit from the local bargaining clause of the PCW pay agreement.
The pay proposals developed to date involve an element of restructuring, as provided for under the local bargaining clause of the PCW pay agreement. This applies to nurses and many other groups such as civil servants, clerical and administrative grades in the health boards and local authorities, teachers, gardaí etc. who have concluded or are concluding agreements under the restructuring option of the PCW.
Generally speaking, the agreements emerging do not provide for uniform increases across groups and in many cases even within grades. This complicants the position regarding adjustments to pensions. This question will now have to be considered in respect of all affected groups across the public service.
Detailed discussions on this issues have yet to take place. When this general policy issue has been resolved, my Department will be in a position to clarify the adjustments to be made to retired health service staff, including nurses.