andSir Anthony Esmonde asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that nurses who work the full weekly rate of 40 hours and who are subsequently on call for ambulance duty get no extra remuneration for such call; and if he will make an order to rectify this undesirable state of affairs.

I am not aware of any case where a nurse called for emergency ambulance work outside of normal working hours gets no extra remuneration. The existing arrangements are at present under examination with a view to making improved arrangements for such work, where necessary.

Would the Minister sanction allowances for nurses on ambulance duty such as those negotiated already at national level for operating theatre nurses?

We approved the revised rates for theatre sisters on the 11th July.

Would the Minister do the same in respect of nurses on ambulance duty?

We are still seeking details of the staffing arrangements on ambulance duty. As the Deputy knows, there are two methods by which these payments are made. Some nurses receive stand-by fees while some receive payment for on-call duty. We are still negotiating with the health boards as to what should apply in particular cases.

Surely if nurses work more than 40 hours per week, they are entitled to something extra.

They benefit under one scheme or the other.

Is the Minister not aware that nurses who are on call for ambulance duty are not getting any extra remuneration?

As I have said, that matter is being negotiated on two alternative bases.

What is there to be negotiated? If they are on call surely they are entitled to be paid accordingly. They are doing national work and dangerous work, too.

I have explained already that there are two systems in operation depending on the number of calls they have. They are paid either by the method of stand-by fees or on-call fees.

Can the Minister say when the negotiations will be completed and whether the matter is being treated as one of urgency?

It is being looked at rapidly.

Is it being regarded as a matter of urgency?

I could not say but it is being looked at in a constructive way.