AQW 49635/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the pay award due to nurses during the current financial year.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 25 June 2026
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Priority
- Tabled
- 25 June 2026
- Answer due by
- 3 July 2026
- Answered
- 15 July 202620 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
It remains my intention to implement pay award recommendations in full and to continue my commitment to maintaining pay parity, with England, for Agenda for Change but I cannot do so until I have clarity on my Department’s budget. However, even in the absence of agreement on an Executive budget, I have asked my officials to progress the necessary preparatory work.
I am committed to transparency with staff-side representatives regarding the timeline for payment.
In addition, my Department, HSC Employers and NI Agenda for Change Trade Unions are engaged in ongoing negotiations on AfC pay structural reform on a 3-nations basis alongside Government, Employers and Trade Unions in England and Wales.