Defence Forces

Thursday, 15 February 2024

Questions (165)

John McGuinness

Question:

165. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if agency nurses working in the Defence Forces without a contract will be given the same privileges, pay and conditions as those that have a contract; if the issues of pay and conditions for all the affected nurses will be harmonised and backdated; his plans, if any, to offer serving nurses full-time positions within the Force thereby removing the anomalies that exist and ensure fair and equal treatment for all concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7232/24]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

Where there are identified shortfalls in the provision of medical care to the Permanent Defence Force, a range of measures to ensure continuity of service are employed including outsourcing, contracted professionals, and agency workers. I am informed by the military authorities that there are no contractual arrangements between the Defence Forces and individual agency nurses and all such arrangements are made with the employing agency. A comprehensive review of all medical services in the Defence Forces that will commence in 2024, will inform future policy on all aspects of medical care in the Permanent Defence Force, including nursing services.