asked the Minister for Health if there are any minimum conditions laid down for trainee nurses covering hours of work, days off, salary, food, et cetera; and if he is aware that there are serious complaints covering these points.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trainee Nurses.
15.
Following consultation with An Bord Altranais my Department in April, 1966, issued recommendations about the working conditions of trainee nurses to all hospital authorities concerned. These recommendations included a reduction of working hours, introduction of a block release system of training, a reduction in the number of hours of night duty, together with a general relaxation of restrictions. An important part of the recommendations was the improvement of communications between student nurses and the hospital managements, including the holding of regular discussions on matters of general interest.
Recent inquiries have indicated that these recommendations are now largely in operation. Students' complaints can be brought to the notice of the hospital authorities through the system of regular discussions and I understand that complaints about working conditions have not emerged as a serious issue.
There is a standard salary scale for student nurses and this is settled by negotiation between the Irish Nurses' Organisation and the employing authorities.
Would the Minister not agree, in view of the fact that apprentices to a trade have to work shorter hours than the tradesmen, it seems extraordinary that student nurses in at least one Dublin hospital are required to work 52 hours a week and only get two free days per month off? I should like to know if those are the regulations referred to in the Minister's reply?
I am not aware of the position in any particular hospital. It would take me too long to read out the recommendations to the Deputy but I could send him a copy if he would like.
I should be grateful if the Minister would do that. Would the Minister not agree, when student nurses complain to their superiors and the first question the superior asks is: "What is all the row about now?", that that is not the way to deal with these people?
I would hope that the Irish Nurses' Organisation would take that matter up on behalf of those students.
I am sure the Minister is aware that student nurses are not members of the Irish Nurses' Organisation. The student nurses in many hospitals are nobody's children.
Would the Minister also send me a copy of the conditions of employment for student nurses?
Would the Minister not agree that his answer to the last question may be part of the reason why student nurses are deteriorating? There are now more people applying for training as nurses that those who are training them feel they have a choice and as a result they can say: "If you do not like the job we will replace you quickly enough".
My Department does in general receive complaints about nurses' conditions but as far as our present information is concerned we have not had complaints of failure of communication between student nurses and the authorities concerned. With regard to the complaints the Deputy has given me, I shall see what can be done about it, but it may not be my responsibility.