James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will adjust the proposal in relation to the employment of 1000 newly qualified nurses/midwives at 80% of the first point of the staff nurse salary scale, which means in essence that they will incur a cut of €11,470 in just three years and reapply the salary scale as heretofore to the positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4631/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under the Initiative, graduate nurses and midwives will be paid 80% of the first point of the Staff Nurse Scale. They will also qualify for premium payments and allowances on a pro rata basis, bringing expected average pay to over €25,000 per year, excluding overtime. The employment of graduates in a specific graduate scheme is a widespread practice in other sectors of the economy. The salary level was set having regard to the norms for such programmes and the need to achieve significant savings on nurse agency and overtime expenditure. The scheme was agreed on the basis that significant savings would arise.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has also agreed that participants in this initiative will not be counted for the purposes of the Health Sector Employment Ceiling. The initiative therefore provides a valuable opportunity for a substantial number of recently-qualified nurses and midwives to work in Ireland at a time when job opportunities in the public service are, regrettably, very limited. The initiative will enable them to gain valuable work experience and development opportunities post-graduation. Given the requirement to achieve reductions in staff numbers in the health sector and to maximise savings, it is not possible at present, other than in very limited circumstances, to offer employment positions.