Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019
283. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when the pay deal agreed with nurses and midwives in February 2019 will be put in place; the cost of same in 2019 and 2020; and the nature of offsetting cost reduction measures such as changes to roster arrangements that are to be put in place to deal with the cost of the new pay deal. [42969/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraImplementation of the agreement reached in relation to nurses and midwives has commenced. Rather than a ‘pay deal’, the agreement is made up of a number of elements intended to improve the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives.
It provides for the introduction of the Enhanced Practice nurse/midwife roles, as well as a range of other measures. It commits to the continued roll-out of the Framework on Safe Staffing and Skill Mix already underway. The initial focus has been on the introduction of the new enhanced roles.
Significant engagement was required between the parties to agree the wording of a new contract to be signed by each person taking up this role. The HSE issued a circular opening the Enhanced Practice role to eligible applicants on 23rd August 2019.
The agreement also includes the recommendations of the Public Service Pay Commission in relation to allowances and accelerated progression for certain nursing and midwifery grades. The HSE has issued a circular giving effect to these allowance increases. Other measures provided for such as the extension of the qualification/location allowance to medical surgical areas and the upgrading of certain RNID nurses are also being progressed.
The full costs involved will be dependent on nurses/midwives choosing to apply for the enhanced practice roles now available to them. Similarly, cost savings will also be contingent on the success of the new enhanced role and the roll-out of the Framework on Safe Staffing and Skill Mix.
Health Service Management are committed to the implementation of all aspects of the agreement and this which will be closely monitored through an HSE Implementation Plan. Funding for the implementation of the nursing agreement has been provided in Budget 2020 and it is expected that further details will be set out in the HSE's National Service Plan.
