Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The INMO continues to press for implementation of a range of measures to incentivise nursing recruitment and retention against the background of a 90% ballot in favour of industrial action if progress is not made. I assure Deputy Micheál Martin, the House and the public that all efforts are being made to reach an agreement with the INMO and SIPTU.

They adjourned last night under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. HSE management will now revert to the INMO with detailed proposals on recruitment to take place in 2017. I note that 14 or 15 different propositions were put forward. The INMO needs to have at its disposal how that is to be funded. The Government is committed to 1,000 extra posts in 2017 as part of the programme for Government. They are fully funded and the approved posts are working within a strict public service pay bill. Obviously this is always a challenge.

The current issues refer to staffing, recruitment, and the retention of nursing and midwifery staff. They were discussed at a meeting between the parties on 12 January. The HSE, the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform reverted to the INMO on 20 January with a joint proposal document setting out measures to attract and retain nursing staff. I hope this matter can continue to be dealt with.

As regards the point made by the Deputy, this is not the first time it has been raised concerning blockages into accident and emergency units and ambulances. The initiatives being taken by the Minister have had a beneficial impact in most hospitals. However, there are difficulties that arise from time to time in hospitals, as the Deputy pointed out in the case of Tallaght.

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