Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2554. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 828 of 25 February 2025, when and by whom the decision was taken to exclude medical scientists who retired before 1 January 2024 from receiving the pay parity increases recommended by the Labour Court; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40826/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2555. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 828 of 25 February 2025, if excluding retired medical scientists from the Labour Court-recommended pay adjustments is consistent with past practice on pension parity for public servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40827/25]

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2556. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 828 of 25 February 2025, if she will review the implementation of the Labour Court’s recommendation on pay parity for medical scientists to ensure that those who retired before 1 January 2024, including those who returned to support the health service during Covid-19 and the cyberattack, are treated fairly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40828/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2554 to 2556, inclusive, together.

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all Medical Scientists throughout the country, including those who have retired from the profession after years of commitment.

Following 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. It was confirmed that medical laboratory scientists were performing the same duties as biochemists.

This long-standing matter has now been resolved through the Labour Court, which examined all relevant issues including the review of the grades involved. The Labour Court determination was explicit that the claim relating to pay parity was effective from 1 January 2024.

The implementation of the binding determination of the Labour Court is set out in the Public Service Agreement 2024 - 2026. Circular 2/2024 has instructed HSE management and HR personnel to implement the terms of the Labour Court recommendation from the effective date of 1 January 2024 to all staff in position from that date. Staff who retire beyond 1 January 2024, will receive the benefit of recommendation.