Paul McAuliffe
Question:114. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the supports available to student nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42431/20]
View answerThursday, 10 December 2020
Questions (114, 152, 171, 185)
Chris Andrews
Question:152. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address the pay and work conditions of student nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42434/20]
View answer
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:171. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the decision not to pay student nurses for the work they are carrying out in hospitals across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42493/20]
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Pearse Doherty
Question:185. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to improve the financial support and conditions in place for student nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42490/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 152, 171 and 185 together.
I recognise the importance of student nurses and midwives completing their essential clinical placements in a safe environment and also recognise the potential hardship that might arise for students on placement due to COVID 19 such as, maintaining part time employment, increased travel and additional accommodation costs.
The supernumerary status of clinical placements is critical for learning in complex environments. Supernumerary status means that the student is in the clinical area but additional to the staffing numbers required for that area. Students train under supervision and alongside qualified staff who have undertaken additional preceptorship training to support them in the clinical area. Students do not have responsibility for patient case loads while on supernumerary placements. While students may participate in the delivery of care, the supernumerary status ensures supported learning, essential for students in gaining the range of skills and experience needed for qualification.
Financial supports for non-intern student nurses and midwives are governed by Circular 9/2004, that provides:
- an accommodation allowance up to €50.79 per week to be paid where it is necessary for a student to obtain accommodation away from their normal place of residence;
- a refund of travel expenses.
Both are paid as refunds on production of receipts.
Concerning 4th year nursing and midwifery students, the HSE continues to fund the internship employment of these students who are on rostered work placements. This includes those due to commence rostered work placement in January 2021. These 4th year student nurses and midwives on rostered work placement are paid at the approved rate, that is €22,229 on an annual basis for psychiatric nursing specialism and €21,749 for all other nursing disciplines. This rate of pay is determined by HSE circular 005/2016 and is updated in accordance with the consolidated pay scales issued on 01st October, 2020 by my Department. Other healthcare students do unpaid clinical placements in order to qualify. 4th year student nurses on rostered internship placement are the only healthcare students who are paid a salary.
Last week, I wrote to the Nursing Unions and advised of the supports made available in 2020 for student nurses and student midwives. These include:
- Access to PUP payment for those student nurses and midwives who may have lost part time employment due to COVID-19. This is a specific exemption for nurses and midwives for which I have secured Government approval;
- Enhanced Illness benefit for those students who work part time but have fallen ill with COVID-19;
- Other welfare schemes to assist with financial hardship due to illness, subject to qualifying criteria (Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Urgent Needs Payment);
- Access for eligible students to the National Access Plan (Contingency Fund) and Student Assistance Fund.
- €250 top-up for those in receipt of the SUSI grant or €250 contribution to fees for eligible students.
A review of student allowances has been completed by my Department and after consideration of the findings, I have instructed that the current travel and accommodation allowance rates be subject to a focused re-examination, in the form of a time limited process which shall be subject to an independent appraisal and concluded no later than 5th January 2021. My Department is engaging with the representative organisations on this matter.
Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 101.