Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for that advice.

The medical scientists’ group engaged with the Labour Court in good faith. Out of that engagement, the Devine report was commissioned. It categorically and unequivocally stated that in the overwhelming majority of work in both professions, there existed no evidence of a material distinction between the grades’ roles and responsibilities. The report went further and suggested that the salary scale of staff in senior grade positions from both professions be adjusted to reflect same. The frustration for medical scientists is that there is a report, which they engaged on in good faith, dating back to January 2023 in which this was one of the main recommendations, yet here we are towards the tail end of the year and we have made little or no progress on the issue. This dispute has been going on for a long time.

I will take the Minister of State’s advice and raise the matter with the Minister for Health.

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