Vol. 482 No. 5
145 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science when his Department will pay the increase to nurses employed by his Department, which was negotiated and paid many months ago to all other nurses in the country; the reason for the delay in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18439/97]
Under the terms of Clause 2 (iii) of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work (PCW), claims for special increases in remuneration may only be processed subject to agreement being reached in relation to changes in structures, work practices, flexibility and change and improved quality of public service. In the case of nurses in the health sector, payment of special increases were agreed following the conclusion of negotiations between the parties concerned i.e. The Department of Health/Health Services Employers' Agency and four staff organisations representing nurses in the sector.
Similarly, claims in the nature of special pay increases for other nursing staff, such as for example those employed in schools and colleges and other educational institutions, also fall to be considered under the terms of clause 2 (iii) of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work (PCW). The processing of such claims is a matter for negotiation between the employer and staff representative organisations in the relevant institutions.
A pay claim under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work in respect of staff, including nursing staff, in schools providing special services for children in care is currently being discussed within the normal pay negotiating machinery. The most recent discussions regarding this matter took place on 8 October 1997. No agreement was reached on that occasion and the matter will require further consultation between the parties concerned.
The Programme for Competitiveness and Work provided that a downpayment of 1 per cent could be made pending the outcome of the negotiations on the final claim for a special increase. Payment of the 1 per cent increase has been implemented. Other general round increases provided for under the PCW have also been implemented. However, in relation to the payment of special increases, no further payments may be made in advance of the parties concerned reaching agreement.
