Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
120. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to address the ongoing and continuing difficulty in growing the nursing and midwifery workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23501/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 has submitted the final report setting out progress on implementation of the Agreement as at end December 2017. The report shows 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.
The measures put in place by the HSE to recruit nurses and midwives included two international recruitment campaigns in 2017, the "Bring Them Home" campaign and the "New Year New Career" campaign. Nurses who relocate to work in the Irish public health service can receive up to €3,000 in relocation expenses. The HSE is also in the process of offering all 2018 graduate nurses and midwives permanent posts within a Hospital Group or CHO subject to them attaining registration and satisfactory performance.
Retention measures undertaken by the HSE include a pre-retirement initiative, career breaks and education and training opportunities. In 2017, an additional 130 nursing undergraduate places were made available in the nursing degree programme to increase the supply of nurses. Also 120 Advanced Nurse Practitioner education places were made available.
The Public Service Pay Commission has already recognised that nurses and midwives are one of the grades which have recruitment and retention difficulties. Their second phase of work is underway, with nurses and midwifery grades being one of the first groups to be looked at. I expect their report in June and look forward to hearing what recommendations they will make.
