Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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413. To ask the Minister for Health the contingency plans in place to deal with the upcoming industrial action being taken by nurses and by support staff across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8179/17]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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477. To ask the Minister for Health the steps his Department is taking regarding the impending nursing strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8583/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 477 together.

The INMO sent a notice of industrial action to the HSE on 13th February 2017 in which it advised that a work to rule would commence on the start of the day shift on Tuesday 7th March 2017 when all INMO members would work to contract. It confirmed that all duties would be undertaken as normal however requests to redeploy, or stay on for additional periods, would not be agreed by INMO members during the dispute. It further stated that the action would be escalated to a nationwide work stoppage in the second week, commencing with a one day work stoppage; in the week beginning 14th March 2017. It has confirmed that emergency services would be provided, in line with the Framework for Dispute Resolution in the Health Services (Framework Agreement) which sets out the procedures to be followed in order to make the required arrangements in such circumstances.

Pursuant to the notice and the INMO confirming that it would be available to meet to agree national and local contingency arrangements in accordance with the Framework Agreement a meeting has been arranged between the HSE and the INMO to consider these arrangements and it is taking place this afternoon. My Department will be in attendance. The INMO has also confirmed it is available to meet in respect of the substantive issues. The parties had an initial engagement with the Lansdowne Road Oversight Body on 9th February and it has been in contact with the parties in the interim. Arising from this it is expected that there will be further engagement between the parties in advance of 7th March. In relation to the industrial action underway involving support staff, I can confirm that discussion between the parties is ongoing. With regard to any contingency planning, the parties concerned would also engage in accordance with the Framework for Dispute Resolution in the Health Services.