Health Services Staff

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Ceisteanna (891)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

891. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health , further to the Labour Court Recommendation LCR23209 issued in January 2026, which directed that the revised medical scientist pay scale applied from 1 January 2024, be applied to perfusionists with retrospective effect from that date, whether that recommendation has been implemented; if not, the reason it has not been implemented; whether its inclusion on the agenda for talks on a successor public service pay agreement carries any risk that it will not be implemented, as recommended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49493/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department of Health and the HSE accept the Labour Court recommendation and remain supportive of resolving the matter through the appropriate public service pay mechanisms. The issue is not whether the Labour Court recommendation is accepted, but how it is implemented and funded within the agreed public service pay framework.

Last week, Fórsa agreed to step down planned industrial action following agreement with management that the issue would be brought into forthcoming engagement on a successor public service pay agreement. Fórsa has now reversed that position and notified the HSE of recommencement and possible escalation, citing what it regards as the absence of formal negotiations on a new public service agreement. That position is premature, as the pay talks process has not yet formally commenced. Officials from the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation remain available for engagement and have sought to resume those engagements as soon as possible.