Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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659. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a submission by a group (details supplied) in respect of microbiology medical scientists; and if he will re-engage with stakeholders and the HSE in order to provide parity with microbiology medical scientist equivalents in related and or similar roles. [26312/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Firstly, I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all medical scientists throughout the country. Their drive and dedication have been key components in our managing of the pandemic.

I acknowledge the MLSA’s claim for pay parity between medical scientists and clinical biochemists. As you may be aware, the current public pay agreement, Building Momentum 2021-2022, includes the process of Sectoral Bargaining, to address outstanding claims such as this one. The MLSA were granted their own bargaining unit to progress this claim. The size of the Sectoral Bargaining fund available to the MLSA, and to all other cohorts of staff bound by this Agreement, equates to 1% of their basic pay. The MLSA and Health management have been engaged in talks over the last number of months with the aim of finding a way to advance their claim for pay parity through the Sectoral Bargaining process.

The Public Service Agreement Group (PSAG), comprised of union and civil service representatives with an independent chair, met on May 11thto consider this matter.  They recommended that the matter be immediately referred to the WRC and that industrial peace be maintained in the meantime.

While the MLSA agreed to engage at the WRC, they have not agreed to lift their strike action which is a breach of Building Momentum.  This engagement between the parties took place on May 17th but, unfortunately, no resolution was reached.

While the Department of Health is disappointed that industrial action has been initiated by the MLSA, and that disruptions have been caused across the health service as a result of the day of strike action held on 18 May, Health Management remain open to engagement with the MLSA.

As this is an ongoing IR matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.

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