Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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234. To ask the Minister for Health if he is concerned about the fact staff who work in residential care settings are consistently required to work in excess of the legal maximum 48 hours per week; if his attention has been drawn to the fact this breaches national legislation and the EU working time directive; the steps his Department and the Health Service Executive are taking to address this serious matter for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18295/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Haddington Road Agreement provides for a process of negotiation under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission in relation to this matter in respect of staff working in residential care settings. Following a referral to the Labour Court in early 2014, it was agreed that the matter should be referred back to the Labour Relations Commission for completion of discussions by 31 May 2014. This series of meetings has recently commenced and involves my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, Service Providers and the Trade Unions representing the employees.