Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2019
106. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is equitable that graduate nursing and midwifery salaries are significantly less than the graduate nursing salaries for allied health professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5393/19]
View answerA new entrant nurse or midwife in their first year earn an effective annual salary of €30,669. In addition to this basic salary, the HSE estimates that on average nurses and midwives earn an additional 20% of their basic salary in allowances and premium payments, which would increase the average gross salary for a new entrant nurse to €36,802. This compares favourably with other areas of graduate recruitment to the public service (where starting salaries are in the region of €30,000) and wage rates in the wider economy. Based on the most recent graduate earnings survey available, the average graduate earnings in Ireland are in the region of €28,000.
It should also be noted that it is not unusual for different graduates of different professions are paid at different rates, on completion of a four-year degree in their chosen field.
