Ambulance Service Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Ceisteanna (602)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

602. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to engage with the ambulance personnel branch of a union (details supplied) that is asserting its fundamental employee rights to representation by their union of choice and to facilitate the payroll deduction of union subscriptions from members of a union in order to prevent an escalation in industrial action and to ultimately resolve this dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45090/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

SIPTU is recognised by the HSE and has negotiating rights for ambulance grades employed by the Executive. As a result, the HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of that union.

However, the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights. Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, if they choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer, such membership is not facilitated by their employer. This means that the HSE does not facilitate deduction of union subscriptions for this particular Association. In light of all of the above, I do not intend directing the HSE to engage with this branch of the Psychiatric Nurses Association.