Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 March 2014
505. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is acceptable for final year student nurses and midwives to work 39 hours per week on 13-hour shifts for €6.29 per hour; his plans for the remuneration of student nurses and midwives in the coming years. [11565/14]
View answer520. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he can confirm that student nurses and midwives in their final year of college work a 39-hour week in 13-hour shifts for €6.29 per hour, below the minimum wage of €8.50 per hour and the average industrial wage of €21 per hour; if he will confirm if it is his intention to reduce this further in the coming years and eventually phase it out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11665/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 520 together.
Fourth year undergraduate student nurses undertake a 36-week rostered placement as a key part of their degree programme. When doing so, they are not qualified nurses and require supervision. The following pay scales have been sanctioned, with the agreement of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with effect from 1 July 2013. Higher scales have been sanctioned for Mental Health Student Nurses undertaking the placement, maintaining previous relativities.
Salary Scales for Student Nurses* undertaking 36 week 4 th Year Clinical Placement
First one-third (12 weeks) - €6.49 per hour
Second one-third (12 weeks) - €6.92 per hour
Final one-third (12 weeks) - €7.79 per hour
*Including Midwifery, Children's and Intellectual Disability.
Salary Scales for Mental Health Student Nurses undertaking 36 week 4 th Year Clinical Placement
First one-third (12 weeks) - €6.64 per hour
Second one-third (12 weeks) - €7.08 per hour
Final one-third (12 weeks) - €7.97 per hour.
The level of pay for this undergraduate placement, split into three 12-week periods, is in accordance with the relevant provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act. There are no plans to revise these scales at present.
