Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
77. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the very small numbers applying, he will set aside the scheme of recruitment of fully qualified nurses on two year contracts at 80% of the salaries of their colleagues, and replace it with recruitment of required nurses in the normal manner to address staffing problems in our public hospital system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13786/13]
View answer78. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the graduate nurse recruitment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13845/13]
View answer125. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on his graduate nurse recruitment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13853/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 78 and 125 together.
Applications from graduate nurses under this scheme will continue to be accepted by the HSE. In line with normal practice, the HSE will aim to facilitate applicants with offers of appointment to posts in the part of the country for which they have expressed a preference.
The HSE has decided that applications for Phase 1, covering registered general nurses for the Acute Hospital setting and the Community, will be accepted on a rolling basis for 2012 graduates, and also those who graduated in 2010 and 2011. Phase 2, which covers General, Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Midwifery Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, Midwifery launched in mid-February.
Recruitment will continue during 2013. Paediatrics will launch at a later stage and there will also be opportunities for those who graduate in 2013 to participate. The scheme was introduced on the assumption that intake would be spread over a period, especially since the scheme was being introduced some months after most 2012 graduates completed their training.
The initiative will give nursing and midwifery graduates an employment opportunity and facilitate their professional development. They will be able to avail of a suite of educational programmes including intravenous canulation and training in anaphylaxis treatment. It has also been agreed that participants will be facilitated in obtaining a certificate in advanced healthcare skills to cover areas such as health assessment and pharmacology.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform approved this employment initiative on the basis that participants would not be counted in health service staff numbers and that it would contribute to savings on unsustainable levels of agency and overtime expenditure. The HSE's National Service Plan for 2013 provides for a saving of €10m in the current year, arising from the introduction of this scheme. This level of saving will need to be achieved regardless of uptake. Given the requirement on the HSE to reduce numbers employed and to maximise savings, there is only very limited scope to offer permanent nursing posts at present.
The graduate nurse/midwife scheme represents an opportunity for a substantial number of recently-qualified nurses and midwives to work in Ireland for a two-year period and to gain valuable experience and additional skills at a time when job opportunities in the public service are, regrettably, very limited.
