Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 70: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether nurses should be awarded their pay claims in full and without delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15366/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 120: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will make a statement on the recent HSE statement that nurses are breaking the national pay agreement. [15443/05]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 133: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a threat has been made to withhold the 3.5% increase due to nursing staff under the Sustaining Progress agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15325/05]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 159: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to implement benchmarking to members of the nursing profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15529/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 120, 133 and 159 together.

The current phase of performance verification for the health sector is the fourth phase of the process set out in the Sustaining Progress agreement. The public service pay agreement provides that the final two phases of the benchmarking increases and the general round increases is dependent on verification of satisfactory achievement of the provisions on co-operation with flexibility and ongoing change; satisfactory implementation of the agenda for modernisation set out in sections 20 to 26 of Sustaining Progress, and the maintenance of stable industrial relations and the absence of industrial action in respect of matters covered by the agreement. The fourth phase sectoral report received by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children from the Health Services National Partnership Forum cited the Irish Nurses Organisation in respect of its non co-operation regarding the development and implementation of the health care assistants programme.

In accordance with the procedures laid down in Sustaining Progress, the Secretary General referred the matter to the Health Service National Joint Council for its views on the matter. The referral stated that it is essential that the INO commit to full co-operation with the introduction of the health care assistant programme, which represents a key skill mix initiative in the health sector and is a key component of the Sustaining Progress agreement.

I understand that the National Joint Council is meeting this afternoon to discuss the matter. Once the NJC have replied to the Secretary General, he will submit the matter to the Performance Verification Group, together with his assessment, for its decision on whether the payment due on 1 June is warranted. I am aware that direct discussions have been taking place between the HSE and the INO and I hope that the issues in dispute can be resolved thus allowing nurses to receive their pay increases with effect from 1 June next.