Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nurses Pay.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

346 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the Department, if any, which is reviewing the remuneration of registered general nurses employed by the Department of Education and Science who work in residential centres for young offenders; if these nurses have been denied a recent salary increase given to other nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22208/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Under the terms of clause 2 (iii) of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, 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 was agreed following the conclusion of negotiations between the parties concerned i.e. the Department of Health and Children-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 . 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 being discussed within the normal pay negotiating machinery. The most recent discussions relating to this matter took place on 3 December 1997. No agreement was reached on that occasion and the matter will require further consultation between the parties concerned. A further meeting between representatives of the management and staff interests is scheduled to take place on 18 December 1997.

The Programme for Competitiveness and Work provided that a down payment 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 Programme for Competitiveness and Work 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.