Yesterday, Oireachtas Members across all parties were briefed by the nursing unions on the cynical and over-spun announcement of the 1,000 jobs, which will be two year contracts, for newly qualified graduates at 20% below the normal wage rate for nurses. What emerged during that briefing yesterday was interesting. First, those present were adamant that, contrary to what the Taoiseach said yesterday, no new jobs are being created and that 1,000 agency jobs will be lost as a result of the creation of these so-called new jobs. Second, the deal was done with no discussion with the unions and, third, no alternatives in terms of where savings could be more effectively made have been examined by the Government, Minister or HSE. It was suggested that more than double the savings achieved as a result of this measure could be realised via alternative routes, in particular in terms of VAT and agency fees.
Nurses throughout the country view this initiative as a downgrading of their profession, which explains why so few have applied for the posts. We were told that up to last week only 30 applications had been received, hence the decision to extend the initiative to 2010 and 2011 graduates. Interestingly, the unions also told us yesterday that the management side of Government had been told, in the context of the extension of the Croke Park agreement talks, that this was a game breaker and that there would be no successful outcome to those talks if this issue was not revisited.
Intervention in this matter by the Minister, Deputy Reilly, has added fuel to the fire. The Minister said that nurses and midwives who are not happy with this initiative can emigrate or opt to work in fast food outlets, which was an appalling intervention by the Minister, who was characteristically dismissive and arrogant.
