McGrath says nurses deserve pay rise… excuses won’t pay the bills
SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has criticised the Finance Minister for failing to provide clarity on when nurses will receive the long-overdue cost-of-living pay rise.
South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: “Today I questioned the Finance Minister directly on whether the money would be available to pay our nurses.
“Instead of giving a clear answer, he chose to blame the British Government and trotted out his usual excuses of not having enough funding.
“The Health Minister says it is the Finance Minister’s responsibility, the Finance Minister says it’s the Health Minister’s, and in the end everyone claims it’s someone else’s job. What this really means is that no one is taking ownership – and our nurses are the ones paying the price.
“It is now six months since our nurses were promised a cost-of-living pay rise. They are still waiting.
“That delay is unfair and unacceptable. At a time when they are working harder than ever to keep our health service afloat, they deserve respect, clarity and action – not excuses.
“The Executive needs to stop passing the buck and make a decision. Our nurses cannot be kept waiting any longer.”
