Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
629. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to continuing the practice of paying student nurses that reach a required standard of training a full salary when they are in practical job training phases (details supplied). [31270/20]
View answerDepartment Officials are currently examining the circumstances for re-opening of the Student Nurse (Temporary HCA) initiative that was in place earlier this year. This initiative was put in place as an initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on nursing education and demands on our health service.
When in operation, this initiative gave 1st, 2nd and 3rd year nursing students the opportunity to apply for these temporary roles to support our health service earlier this year while protecting their nurse education. 4th years on rostered student nurse placement also benefited from this initiative and were paid at the higher HCA rate.
This examination is expected to conclude in the coming days and a decision will then be taken on re-opening this initiative
