Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government's priority is to protect and support the education of all students, including student nurses and midwives. Student nurses are paid in their fourth, or pre-registration year, but not in earlier years. The process of student nurses and midwives training to meet educational standards and requirements involves a supernumerary clinical placement and this places them on the front line for certain periods during each year of their training. This is considered to be a form of work experience. The Minister for Health and his Department recognise that Covid-19 has had a real effect on the placements of student nurses and midwives. The Department is considering proposals for a revision of the existing allowance for clinical placements for student nurse and midwives in the short term to support them financially with their ongoing training. The Department expects to conclude this process in the coming days. The revision will also include measures that will protect student nurse education and welfare during this time.

See this speech in context