James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 354: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has an official checking system in place to ensure that non-Irish national nurses working in public hospitals are paid according to the official pay-scale agreed by the Department of Health and Children for all nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14663/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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This is a matter in the instance for the Department of Health and Children and/or the Health Service Executive.

The National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) is responsible for the enforcement of the minimum rates of pay provided under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 and the rates provided for under the Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements. While nurses would be covered by the National Minimum Wage Legislation, their rates of pay exceed the National Minimum Wage. Accordingly NERA does not have any practical role in the enforcement of Department of Health and Children pay scales for nursing staff.