Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review the issue of senior staff increments for nurses; the senior staff nurse position having been included under the Government moratorium on public sector recruitment of March 2009 in view of the fact that such positions would only be open to a small group who actually fit the criteria. [18034/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The inclusion of the senior staff nurse position under the moratorium was considered by the Labour Court last Autumn. In its recommendation (LCR19935) dated 1 November 2010, the Court stated that it would not for industrial relations purposes normally consider this a promotion post but rather an additional recognition of long service. However it also stated that interpretation of the moratorium and what comes within its scope was not a matter for the Court. It stated that the moratorium was a Government decision and that Government alone could clarify its intentions as to its scope and application. The Labour Court Recommendation is being considered at present by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.