Vol. 496 No. 7
58 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost of pay increases in percentage terms to the health boards for all health workers for awards made during 1998; the further awards, if any, due in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23952/98]
I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to pay awards under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, which have been finalised to date in 1998. The cost of such awards in 1998 will increase the overall health service pay bill by approximately 1.39 per cent. In some cases this percentage increase includes an element of retrospection. My Department plans to finalise negotiations with all remaining grades this year within the parameters of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work and Government pay policy.
In accordance with Partnership 2000 for Inclusion, Employment and Competitiveness, pay adjustments for health board workers, apart from general round increases, will not exceed 2 per cent and will be conditional upon the achievement of verified progress to a satisfactory level on implementation of the modernisation pro-gramme in chapter 10 of the partnership agreement.
