Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of all Medical Scientists throughout the country.

I am very conscious of the MLSA's long-standing claim for pay parity with Clinical Biochemists. Following productive talks at the Workplace Relations Commission back in May and June of 2022, agreement was reached to conduct an independent assessment of the role, responsibilities and pay of medical laboratory scientist grades. This assessment was undertaken by an independent assessor and the final report issued in January 2023.

Following the issuing of this report, my officials in the Department of Health, along with colleagues in the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, have continued to engage with the MLSA on this matter under the auspices of the industrial relations machinery of the State.

As this is an Industrial Relations matter, I am not in a position to comment in relation to a timeline for resolution at this point. However the parties remain in an IR process under the auspices of the state’s industrial relations machinery and have been working hard to resolve this matter.