Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2018
105. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to address problems regarding pay and pay equality for nurses in view of the recruitment and retention crisis for nursing and midwifery staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16978/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of pay, this Government has ratified the measures agreed in the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) and provided a statutory roadmap for the unwinding of FEMPI. This includes a series of salary increases that will see public servants, including nurses, receiving on average a 7% increase over the lifetime of the agreement. The Agreement commits to 90% pay restoration by the end of 2020. In addition to this, a number of health-related allowances have been restored and nursing staff have benefitted from this.
Last year, the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) recognised that nurses and midwives are one of the grades that have recruitment and retention difficulties. The PSPC is currently undertaking its second phase of work, and is adopting a modular approach. The first module now underway is focussing on nurses and midwives, as well as other health grades. Their first report is due in June and I look forward to recommendations in relation to nurses and midwives.
The Government and the HSE remain committed to recruiting and retaining nurses and midwives in the public health service. As part of the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement with the INMO and SIPTU, the HSE agreed to appoint 1,224 additional nurses and midwives in 2017. The HSE is finalising the report setting out progress on implementation of the Agreement as at end December 2017. Indications are that there has been significant growth in the appointment of nurses and midwives in the final months of the year with 942 WTE of the 1,224 posts filled (including student nurses) or 69% (847 WTE) excluding the student nurses. The HSE remain committed to the Agreement and efforts will continue to fill the remaining posts.
