The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath today secured cabinet agreement for the publication of the Public Service Pay Bill (2020) which “will enable progress” on implementation of the Sláintecare consultant contract – a key element of the Sláintecare health reform agenda. The contract will require consultants employed by the State to focus 100 per cent of their time on public-only work within the public health system.
Under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Acts, no changes may be made to public service pay for particular groups or individuals in the absence of legislative amendment. This limits the Government’s ability to deliver key policy commitments as they arise, according to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Minister McGrath commented, “The Government is committed to reform of our health services and the Sláintecare consultant contract is key to that. This legislation will enable this contract to be progressed by my colleague the Minister for Health over the coming months.”
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