Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:
40
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if, in regard to his campaign to recruit nurses from abroad, steps are being taken to advise applicants of their rights under Irish labour and planning laws; if his attention has been drawn to reports of nurses recruited to Dublin hospitals being accommodated in seriously sub-standard, unhealthy and dangerous accommodation; the action he intends to take arising from these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9986/01]
Deirdre Clune
Question:
59
Ms Clune
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he will make a statement on the accommodation problems experienced by nurses from the Philippines as reported in the media on 28 March 2001.
[9911/01]
Jimmy Deenihan
Question:
96
Mr. Deenihan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the steps he is taking to ensure that hospital staff recruited abroad to perform essential roles in hospitals live in accommodation of a fit standard.
[9978/01]
Nora Owen
Question:
162
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the full circumstances behind the housing of 54 Filipino nurses in squalid conditions in Dublin; if he has received a report from the various hospitals and other agencies in this regard; the details of the report; and the person or group responsible for the housing of these and any other health workers from abroad.
[10215/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 59, 96 and 162 together.
I share the concerns expressed by Deputies about the unsuitable accommodation in which a group of nurses recruited from the Philippines were placed. The case received widespread coverage in the media last week and I want to make it clear that what happened was unacceptable.
The nurses involved were recruited to work for the three area health boards in the eastern region. I have received a report on the outcome of the investigation by the three boards concerned into the circumstances leading to the placement of the nurses in the accommodation in question. The bed and breakfast accommodation in Gardiner Street in which the nurses were originally placed was pre-booked for the St. Patrick's weekend, and it was necessary for the nurses to be moved to alternative accommodation. As soon as the three area health boards were made aware of the situation, they acted immediately to provide the nurses with improved accommodation. The three boards have expressed regret and apologised to the nurses for their unfortunate experience. I have been assured that all future accommodation to be provided by the three boards for nurses coming from abroad will be carefully assessed.
I am as anxious as the Deputies to ensure this unsatisfactory situation does not recur. On my instructions, my Department has written to health service employers reminding them of their responsibilities towards nurses recruited from abroad.
Nurses coming to this country from the Philippines and other countries are proving a very valuable resource and it is vitally important that they are treated properly. Health service employers have a clear responsibility to look after the welfare of these nurses and to facilitate their integration into our health care system. In fairness to the general body of employers, the practical assistance provided by them has greatly benefited nurses recruited from abroad. All health service employers involved in the recruitment of nurses and other health service professionals from abroad have an obligation to assist them in finding suitable accommodation and help them to settle in here generally. Employers have been requested to ensure the necessary arrangements are in place to give effect to this.
As regards the employment rights of nurses being recruited from abroad, I expect prospective employers, as a matter of good human resource practice, to inform nurses about their various rights and entitlements. The provision of advice on planning laws would, however, be beyond the scope of the information that health service employers could reasonably be expected to impart to applicants for nursing positions.
A steering committee chaired by the chief nursing officer of my Department, is overseeing a major nursing and midwifery workforce planning study. At its meeting last Tuesday week, that steering committee agreed that guidelines on best practice in the recruitment of nurses from abroad should be prepared. The unfortunate incident that came to light later last week has underlined the need for such guidelines. My Department is pressing ahead with arrangements for the establishment of an expert working group to produce these guidelines as a matter of urgency. As soon as they are ready, these guidelines will be circulated to all health service employers.
