Vol. 508 No. 1
526 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at least one health board is employing nurses on an 11 month contract and then renewing the contract in order to avoid the protection of a labour law for nurses; and if he will issue a directive to severely limit or entirely eliminate this practice. [18278/99]
I am not aware of any health board which adopts an employment policy as described by the Deputy. The contention that contracts of the nature described allow employers to avoid labour law obligations is not in fact correct, having regard to the terms of the Unfair Dismissals (Amendment) Act, 1993. The Health Service Employers Agency, which advises employers on labour law matters, has issued guidelines for the employment of temporary staff in the health service, which draw attention specifically to the fact that temporary contracts should not be used inappropriately.
