187 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a pay award granted in April 2001 backdated to January 2001 has not been made to health board employees (details supplied). [7023/02]

Responsibility for the payment of the new pay scales for residential and community child care workers rests with the health board. The Eastern Regional Health Authority has advised that the increases due to staff in the Northern Area Health Board were paid on 7 February 2002 and arrears were paid on 21 February 2002.