Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
607. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the implementation status of each of the recommendations of the Short-Term Review of Clinical Placement Allowances for Student Nurses and Midwives and the Longer-Term Review: Matters relating to Student Nurses and Midwives, in tabular form. [32321/23]
View answer608. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when the €500 subsistence grant for supernumerary student nurses and midwives in years 1 to 3, backdated to the start of the 2022-2023 academic year, will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32326/23]
View answer671. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the yearly €500 travel and subsistence scheme grant for first-, second- and third-year student nurses and midwives; the reason this has not been paid to students for the 2022/2023 academic year; when students will receive this backdated pay for the 2022/2023 academic year; when students can expect to receive this payment for the next academic year, beginning in September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32665/23]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 607, 608 and 671 together.
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.
I would like these payments in respect of the 2022/2023 academic year to have been made long ago. However, the HSE raised a query as to whether or not tax implications might arise for students. The position has now been clarified and I am pleased to note that the HSE is now proceeding to finalise preparations for issuing payments as soon as possible.
Regarding the €500 flat rate meals allowance for the 2023/2024 academic year, payments are scheduled to be paid by the HSE in two equal parts, in November 2023 and February 2024.
For the student nurses and midwives on their final year internship, I have ensured that their salary is set in line with the relevant recommendation in the McHugh report, by increasing their rate of pay, with effect from January 2023, to 80% of Point 1 of the Staff Nurse/Midwife pay scale. Also, I have confirmed that two additional uniform tunics should be provided in advance of the internship placement.
The above sets out the current position regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Longer-Term Review of Matters Relating to Student Nurses and Midwives (Mc Hugh Report).
Previously, I had asked Professor Tom Collins to carry out a short-term review of clinical placement allowances for student nurses and midwives. The table below summarises the position regarding implementation of the various recommendations.
Short Term Review of Clinical Placement Allowances for Student Nurses and Midwives (Collins Report)
Collins Report Recommendations
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An additional and exceptional Student Nurse/Midwife Pandemic Placement Grant of €100 per week, tax exempt, for each week spent on supernumerary placement (retrospective to September 2020) be introduced for the duration of the pandemic. |
Complete |
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That the pandemic placement grant should be included in the terms of reference of the Government’s longer-term review of supports for student nurses and midwives which begins shortly |
Complete |
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That Students who are eligible should have continued access to the existing allowances of up to €50.79 a week as a contribution towards travel/accommodation costs. They should also retain any existing entitlement to PUP payments and/or the SUSI grant |
Complete |
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That pay rates for intern student nurses and midwives on rostered placements should be included in the terms of reference of the forthcoming longer-term review. |
Complete |
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That the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should, in the context of COVID 19, address the emotional and psychological needs arising from any trauma to which their nursing/midwifery students may be exposed in their clinical settings. |
Complete |
