Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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160. To ask the Minister for Health if he will direct the HSE to engage with the ambulance personnel branch of an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51249/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The union which is recognised by the HSE as representing ambulance grades is SIPTU. The Psychiatric Nurses' Association (PNA), which is a non ICTU affiliated union, have negotiating rights for nurses working in psychiatry and intellectual disability sectors. The National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA), which is affiliated with the PNA is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights for HSE ambulance staff.

Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, HSE ambulance staff who choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer should be aware that such membership is not facilitated by their employer. I will not be directing the HSE to engage with the PNA in light of the above.