Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
173. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a commitment will be given to pay student nurses and midwives properly for their labour; if the number of permanent nurses and midwives will be increased to adequate levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40485/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraEngagement is ongoing with nursing trade unions on the current allowances available to 1/2/3 year nursing and midwifery students on supernumerary clinical placements. I have committed to holding a short, time limited independent examination of these allowances in the context of COVID-19. Work is underway to progress this and I envisage that this will be completed by the end of December.
Separately, the regular pay for 4th year student nurses employed on rostered internship increased by 2% on 1st October this year. The annualised salary for this group is now €21,749 for general nursing and midwifery and €22,229 for psychiatric nursing.
In terms of increasing the number of permanent nurses and midwives, earlier this year the HSE committed to offering permanent contracts to all 2020 nursing graduates. This is welcome news for those entering the nursing profession. In addition, recruitment of more nurses and midwives is continuing. The numbers of nurses and midwives employed in our public health service is up by almost 2,000 WTE in the past two years alone and now stands at 39,608 WTE as at the end of October 2020.
The recent Nursing Agreement improved and extended allowances as well as accelerated career progression and development opportunities. It introduced a new Enhanced Nurse Practice Nurse / Midwife role. This role will enable nurses and midwives to practice to the fullest extent of their licence and should help with the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives in our public health system. The Agreement also includes commitments to further fund the roll out of the Framework on Safe Staffing and Skill Mix in our hospitals. This approach to determining nurse staffing and skill mix is underpinned by evidence and the Government remains committed to the implementation of this initiative.
