SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has welcomed confirmation that health staff will receive long overdue pay parity.

He questioned why it took the Executive and Health Minister so long to get to this point.

South Down MLA Colin McGrath said:

“It’s welcome that staff finally have clarification and will now receive the pay parity they have long deserved. Staff were promised this in line with other parts of these islands and they should not have to go to the department year after year and fight for it. I am glad that they will be able to enter the difficult winter period without this issue and looming strike action hanging over their heads.

“However, serious questions must be asked of the Executive and Health Minister about why this has taken so long. We have seen public Executive squabbling between the Health Minister and First Minister and no doubt more infighting within the Executive behind closed doors. Even today Ministers are trampling over each other for credit.

“If the money was going to be found, even with an overspend, it should have been found months ago without undue worry and uncertainty for staff. I sincerely hope that they will receive this money as promised and the Health Minister will live up to his word that we won’t find ourselves back in the same position next year.”