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Nursing Staff Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 December 2018

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

Questions (100)

Bríd Smith

Question:

100. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures he plans to take to address the crisis in the retention and recruitment of nursing and specialised nursing staff in various departments of the public hospital system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50774/18]

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Written answers

Recruitment and retention of nurses remains a priority for this Government.

Last year, the Government concluded an overall Public Service Stability Agreement with public sector unions which sees very significant increases in public service pay, including for nurses. In line with that Agreement, in recent weeks, the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) concluded a review in respect of key health service grades, including nurses.

Their report made a number of recommendation which would benefit approx. 18,000 nurses:

- Qualification allowance, Location allowance and Dual qualification allowance increased by 20%;

- Location allowance to be payable to those working in Maternity services; and

- Timeframe to become a senior staff nurse reduced by 3 years.

Alongside the PSPC Report, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform also reached agreement with ICTU on the ‘New Entrant’ salary scale, which will benefit 60,000 public servants who entered employment since 2011. This includes about 10,000 nurses. The benefits under the measure will be effective from 1 March 2019 and will be restricted to Parties adhering to the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020.

It is clear that these measures will improve the overall pay package for the majority of nurses and midwives and help address the recruitment and retention issues currently being faced. The Deputy will be aware, however, that both the INMO and the PNA have rejected the pay proposals. Notwithstanding their rejection of these proposals, officials from my Department and the HSE have met the nursing unions to clarify their issues. I understand that the parties have been invited to attend the National Oversight Body and I am hopeful this will help to progress matters.

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