asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposals to increase nurses' pay in the near future.

All claims for salary increases on behalf of general trained nurses are dealt with by the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board and processed through the agreed conciliation and arbitration scheme for local authority and health services.

Recently an agreed arbitration award in respect of general trained nurses recommended phased increases amounting to between 13 per cent and 15 per cent. My approval to the implementation of this award was issued last month.