asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that male and female psychiatric nurses do not receive equal pay; and, if so, if he proposes to rectify this anomaly.

6.

andSir Anthony Esmonde asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the anomaly as between the conditions of pay for male psychiatric nurses and their female counterparts; and if he will make the necessary order to rectify this situation.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.

In accordance with an agreement made in 1969 by the Joint Industrial Council for Psychiatric Nurses the differential which then existed between the salary scales for male and female grades is already being phased out over a period of four years. The phasing out of the differential will be completed by 1st April, 1973.