Vol. 529 No. 1
575 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has established a working group to consider the payment of an allowance to nurses working in the Dublin area; the terms of reference of any such working group; when such a group will report back to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1275/01]
The membership of the working group being set up in relation to the recruitment and retention of nursing staff in the Dublin area has now been finalised. The working group will be composed of representatives of the health service employers, Eastern Regional Health Authority, the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Employers Agency and of the four nursing unions. It will have the following terms of reference:
To examine factors affecting the recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery staff in the Dublin area and to recommend innovative ways in which the situation might be improved.
The first meeting of the working group will take place shortly. While I have not set a time limit for its report, I expect that the working group will complete its task expeditiously.
