The Minister for Health today said he was prepared to return to the Labour Relations Commission for a definitive interpretation of what constitutes overtime in a bid to head off possible industrial action by Non consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs).
Speaking at the Irish Medical Organisation’sagm in Killarney, Mr Martin said the current position is the standard 39 hour week must be worked before overtime can be paid. He added this position was consistent with the agreement brokered by the Labour Relations Commission.
Mr Martin said an additional £90 million has been allocated by the Government for NCHD overtime and training in 2001.
Nearly £18 million has been paid out during the first quarter of this year as the overtime bill has increased by 150 per cent across the country, he said. He added that the Government was trying to resolve a number of issues including whether laptops could be provided from the £3,000 training grant.
He also accepted concerns expressed by GPs with regard to the extension of the medical card scheme to those aged over 70-years-of-age. Earlier today, delegates voted to reject the Government's plan to give free medical cards to people over 70-years-of-age.
Under the Government's plan 30,000 elderly people would be expected to benefit but GPs want 100,000 people living below subsistence level to be offered medical cards.
Mr Martin said he was confident that scheduled talks would provide the opportunity to work through the issues and allow the measure be implemented by July 1st.