Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.

Paul McGrath

Question:

180 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nurses appointed to permanent positions at Mullingar, Tullamore and Portlaoise general hospitals in each of the past five years; the number of nurses in these hospitals in temporary positions; if he will confirm whether nurses in these temporary positions are entitled to incremental pay; and if he will make a statement on the long waiting time for nurses in temporary positions before being appointed to permanent positions. [15990/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The number of nurses appointed to permanent positions in each of the last five years in each of the three hospitals was:

Year	Mullingar	Tullamore	Portlaoise
1994	3	8	4
1995	11	15	2
1996	10	13	9
1997	8	16	12
1998	11	6	8

The number of nurses in these hospitals in temporary positions is: Mullingar, 55; Tullamore, 50; Portlaoise, 27.

Temporary nurses are entitled to incremental credit in respect of previous nursing service. Following the issue of Labour Court Recommendation No. 16094, agreement has now been reached with the Alliance of Nursing Unions in relation to revised incremental credit arrangements for temporary nurses. The new agreement provides for the phased implementation of full incremental credit on appointment as temporary nurses on foot of satisfactory validation of previous nursing service. The Health Service Employers Agency has notified the health agencies of the terms of the new agreement, which is effective from 1 January 1999.

I have been informed by the Midland Health Board that it is currently in the process of converting a number of temporary posts to permanent positions under phase two of the conversion process outlined in the 1997 Nursing Pay Agreement. The board is currently arranging interviews for next week at each location where there are long-term temporary nurses who meet the qualifying criteria, and depending on vacancies to make permanent appointments. Where there are insufficient vacancies in particular locations, successful candidates will be given letters of comfort indicating that they will be offered permanent appointments in the event of a suitable vacancy arising in that location in future.