asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that married nurses, other than psychiatric nurses, employed in local authority hospitals may be given up to a maximum of five increments for previous post-graduate experience in a recognised hospital; and that married nurses in similar employment in voluntary hospitals do not receive increments for previous post-graduate experience; and if he will arrange to have the regulations adjusted to allow for such credit to be given in the case of voluntary hospitals and in the case of psychiatric nurses.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nursing Service.
5.
In response to recruitment difficulties in certain hospitals, including psychiatric hospitals, controlled by health boards, my sanction has been conveyed to the grant of incremental credit to married nurses in respect of post-graduate experience.
I have no direct functions in regard to the recruitment or remuneration of nursing staffs employed by voluntary hospitals. I understand, however, that the Hospitals Commission are conducting a survey of the recruitment position in such institutions. The Deputy may be assured that any recommendation made to me by the commission as a result of this survey will have my prompt attention.