Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I can. I acknowledge the dedication, professionalism and commitment of our medical scientists all across the country. As the Deputy says, we are a year on now since the MLSA engaged in two days of industrial action on 18 and 24 May of last year. That was for their claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. I am very happy to report that important open engagement has continued between health management and the MLSA since this time without industrial action being initiated again. I commend the representative body, the medical scientists and the HSE on making sure that has happened.

Following what I am told were very productive talks at the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, in May and June of last year, agreement was reached to conduct an independent assessment of the role, responsibilities and pay of medical laboratory scientist grades. The assessment was undertaken by an independent assessor and the final report issued in January of this year. Following the issuing of that report, the parties involved in the matter have resumed engagement to determine a way of progressing the recommendations outlined in the report. It is important to note that these recommendations may only be addressed in the context of the next public service pay agreement, which is to be negotiated later this year. Thanks to the efforts of all involved, they have a report, they have the recommendations and now they are working to see how they can be progressed through the standard pay bargaining channels.

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