Duncan Smith
Ceist:2028. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of payments to student nurses as of September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44110/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
2028. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of payments to student nurses as of September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44110/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra2066. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when he will sanction the payment of financial supports to student nurses and midwives as recommended by the McHugh review; if he will ensure that there is no further delay given the fact that the new academic year has already started. [44273/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2028 and 2066 together.
On 4 November 2021, following the publication of the McHugh Report, I announced that the Government had approved my proposal to provide significant additional supports, worth €12m, for student nurses and midwives while attending their clinical placements. Among these temporary measures, I extended the Pandemic Placement Grant of €100 per week to all eligible nursing and midwifery students on supernumerary placement to the end of the academic year 2021/22.
I also announced additional support to nursing and midwifery students needing overnight accommodation away from their normal place of residence in order to attend some of their clinical placements. I doubled the cap on the vouched accommodation allowance to €100 per week of placement.
These additional supports arose following the Longer-Term Review of Matters relating to Student Nurses and Midwives. This independent review, conducted by Mr. Seán McHugh at my request, set out a number of recommendations, including an enhanced Travel and Subsistence scheme for students while attending their supernumerary clinical placements. As this is a significant departure from the current position, I committed to bringing a further proposal to Government setting out how to deal with this recommendation with effect from the start of the 2022/2023 academic year.
Along with my Department I am considering a number of options in relation to this recommendation so that an enhanced scheme can shortly be put in place that will provide a targeted and more equitable approach to supporting students in undertaking their supernumerary clinical placements.