63 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the application of speech and language therapists for a salary scale comparable with other graduate health care professionals, having regard to the fact that speech and language therapists need to complete a four year honours degree course; and if he will have arrangements made to reactivate pay negotiations under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work which have broken down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14558/96]

64 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding a pay claim by speech and language therapists; whether the claim is being processed under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14872/96]

106 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the pay negotiations with speech and language therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14247/96]

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 64 and 106 together.

A pay claim submitted by IMPACT on behalf of speech and language therapists was being processed under clause 2 (iii) A — annex 1 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. Discussions, under the auspices of the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board, had not been conclusive and had been “on hold” for quite some time. However, I am pleased to advise the House that following a meeting on Wednesday, 26 June 1996 both management and union have agreed to re-enter direct negotiations in line with the provisions of the joint Government/ICTU statement of 15 May 1996.

In these circumstances, any further comment on my part would not be appropriate or helpful.