Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 50: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions which have taken place on the implementation of the Labour Court recommendations on working arrangements of and payments to non-consultant hospital doctors; if difficulties are envisaged with regard to staffing and rostering; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26339/09]

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

In the context of the current economic difficulties and in accordance with a recent High Court settlement agreement between the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the Health Service Executive (HSE), a two phased process is under way to reduce the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) to comply with European Working Time Directive (EWTD) requirements; to increase flexibility in the working day of NCHDs; and to achieve other cost containment measures including a reduction in NCHD overtime.

The first phase of the process concentrated on the introduction of EWTD compliant work patterns, rotas, rosters and on-call arrangements and resulted in Labour Court Recommendation 19559 of 15 June 2009. The Labour Court recommendations include 5/7 working for NCHDs and a core working day of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at weekends. The new rostered working arrangements are to be introduced from 1 July 2009. The effect of the Labour Court Recommendation would mean a reduction in long hours for NCHDs and improved patient safety. Under the terms of the settlement agreement the result of any Labour Court adjudication was subject to an IMO ballot. I am pleased to note that 86% of NCHDs voted to accept the Labour Court recommendation.

LRC negotiations on all other NCHD contract issues, including cost increasing issues, will be dealt with in Phase 2 of the process and must conclude by 16 October. All outstanding issues will be referred to binding adjudication by the Labour Court with a ruling by 20 November 2009.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy with regard to the implementation of the Labour Court recommendations on the working arrangements of NCHDs and any difficulties that are envisaged with regard to staffing and rostering.