Labour Court recommends talks on GP registrars’ maternity leave allowance

The Labour Court recommended accepting the Health Service Executive’s proposal that the claim be considered as part of agreed revisions to the Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors contract. The Court also recommended considering retrospective payment in those discussions, but did not recommend conceding the workers’ claim at this time. The recommendation was signed on 1 November 2023. The Irish Medical Organisation, representing the workers, argued that the fixed allowance should be paid as part of maternity pay. It said the allowance addressed a pay-scale gap and was treated as fixed for pay and pension purposes, though it had been reduced by 5% under emergency public-interest measures. The HSE said it compensated for potential overtime earnings forgone and fell outside the existing maternity rules. The Court noted that the contract describes the allowance as being paid “in respect of out of hours work” and that the HSE was willing to review its practice.