As the Deputy may be aware, following approval by Government on 13th December 2022, I was pleased to announce €9 million in additional supports for student nurses and midwives. €5.4m of which has been allocated to the HSE to introduce an enhanced Travel and Subsistence Scheme for eligible students while attending their supernumerary clinical practice placements.
The Secretary General of the Department of Health issued a letter of sanction to the HSE on February 15th confirming that Budget 2023 provides funding to cover the €5.4 million cost associated with the enhanced travel and subsistence scheme for 2023. It also confirmed sanction for expenditure of €2.4 million to cover arrears of travel and subsistence from September to December 2022. The letter of sanction to the HSE requested that payments that were due to eligible student nurses and midwives be prioritised as a matter of urgency.
The Department of Health also issued Circular 4/2023 to the HSE on February 27th setting out revised arrangements to apply regarding accommodation allowance, the continuation of the travel allowance and the introduction of a subsistence allowance in the form of a €500 meals allowance. These revised arrangements are to take effect from the beginning of the academic year 2022/2023. Circular 4/2023 is linked below for reference.
As the timeline for payment, the number of payments outstanding and the reason for any delays in making the payments are all operational matters for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on those aspects in particular.
My Department has since been engaging with the HSE in relation to the prompt implementation of the circular and payment of these allowances, and we will continue this engagement.
Allowances
