51 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he is taking to prevent industrial action being taken by speech and language therapists in respect of their pay claim. [10850/97]

57 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of occupational therapy pay negotiations under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. [10391/97]

58 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to the status of occupational therapists' pay negotiations under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work; if he will respond positively to pay claims from community occupational therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10392/97]

81 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to the issues being raised by the occupational therapists, physiotherapists, environmental health officers and speech therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10641/97]

Limerick East): I wish to take Questions Nos. 51, 57, 58 and 81 together.

Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and environmental health officers, similar to all other paramedical professions, have benefited in full from all standard and special pay awards under the various national pay programmes over the last number of years. The relative position of these professions, in terms of remuneration, has been maintained with those of their colleagues in other paramedical disciplines.

IMPACT, on behalf of these professions, has been pursuing a pay claim under clause 2 (iii) — Annex 1 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. These negotiations are complex and are being handled by the Health Service Employers' Agency.