Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 3

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

154 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the special pay award sanctioned for pharmacists in September 1998 excludes former Eastern Health Board pharmacists who retired prior to 1 April 1997 but includes former pharmacists of Beaumont Hospital, St Mary's Hospital, Cappagh, and pharmacists who worked within the general medical services scheme who also retired before this date; the measures, if any, he will take to address this inequity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16910/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

A circular letter was issued by this Department in September 1998 in relation to the remuneration of hospital pharmacists. This circular concerned pharmacists employed in the health services in general and did not make reference to pharmacists employed in any specific agencies.

Due to a misinterpretation of the terms of the circular by the Eastern Health Board in relation to superannuation, no increases were paid to those pharmacists employed by the board who had retired prior to the implementation date of the circular 1 April 1997.

The Department has now clarified the issue with the Eastern Health Board and the board is now arranging to have the pay award applied to those pharmacists who retired before 1 April 1997 in accordance with this Department's circular No. 76/97 which sets out detailed provisions for the application of superannuation benefits to serving and retired officers.