Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013
1137. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the number of positions that have been filled under the nursing and midwifery graduate initiative to date in 2013; the way this level of recruitment affects the projected savings from the scheme; his plans to offer nurses on the scheme permanent places after the end of the two year placement to encourage recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35399/13]
View answerA major objective of this scheme was to put in place more cost-effective service delivery arrangements, having regard to the high rates of expenditure on agency staffing and overtime. The scheme will enable the health services to offer 1,000 graduate nurses positions for two years. It will support the retention of recently qualified graduate nurses and midwives within the Irish health system and enable them to gain valuable work experience and development opportunities post-graduation, at a time when job opportunities in the public service are very limited.
The nursing unions were strongly opposed to the scheme and, as a result, the number of staff appointed to date has been limited. At this stage 18 applicants have been assigned to work locations and have taken up their posts. A further 48 applicants have accepted offers but have yet to take up duty. Under the Haddington Road Agreement it has been agreed that higher salary rates will be payable to participants in this scheme and in this context the relevant unions have withdrawn their opposition to its implementation.
The HSE will shortly be proceeding to invite further applications and to facilitate qualified applicants with offers of appointment to posts in the part of the country for which they have expressed a preference. Recruitment will continue during 2013, with a particular focus on nurses who will be graduating next autumn. A savings target of €10 million was factored into the HSE's budget for 2013. It is too early at this point to assess whether this level of saving will be achieved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform approved the Graduate Nurse Placement 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. Appointments under the scheme will, accordingly, be made strictly for a two year period. It will be open to participants to compete in the normal way for appointment to a permanent post in the health service, in the event of recruitment to such positions taking place.
