Hospital pension: The Labour Court has expressed "alarm" that nurses with more than 20 years' service at a private hospital in Co Cork have no pension cover at work.
Management at Cobh General Hospital told the court it was "sympathetic" to a claim by the Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) for the introduction of a pension scheme. But it said an annual grant it received from the Health Service Executive (HSE)-South covered hospital wages only.
Representations had been made to both the Department of Health and Children and the HSE seeking additional funds to implement a suitable pension scheme for staff, the hospital said.
However, the HSE's response had been that the hospital did not meet the entry requirements for the superannuation schemes administered by the department, and it would therefore not be providing additional funding.
The court was told that Cobh General Hospital is a community-run facility with 35 employees, 17 of whom are nurses. It provides a community nursing service.
In a case taken on behalf of 14 of the nursing staff, the INO said there was provision under the Health Act for the HSE to help fund a pension scheme for staff at the hospital. The continued absence of a scheme had proved a disincentive to the recruitment and retention of nurses at the facility, and its viability could be at stake if the situation was not addressed, the union claimed.
In a recommendation published on its website, the court said it was common practice in the health service for employees to have a pension scheme.
"[ The court] is somewhat alarmed to be informed that nurses with in excess of 20 years' service in the health sector have no occupational entitlements." The court said management at the hospital had referred to ongoing discussions between it and the HSE regarding the future governance of the facility.
These discussions could result in significant structural and management changes for the hospital involving the HSE, which could in turn "possibly address" the union's claim.
The INO had accepted the discussions had the potential to address the claim, but was concerned at the length of time it might take for the talks to conclude, particularly as some members of staff were close to retirement age, the court said.
"Under Section 17 of Sustaining Progress, the social partners agreed on the objective that all retired people should have adequate incomes and the agreement provides for appropriate measures to ensure the introduction of new occupational pension schemes where none exist," its recommendation continued.
"The court notes that management are working towards a solution to this difficulty and recommends that the discussions currently ongoing between the hospital and the HSE should be expedited and concluded as quickly as possible to arrive at a solution whereby the union's claim can be satisfied."
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