Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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458. To ask the Minister for Health if there are situations where graduate nurses are earning a starting salary which pays below the minium wage when divided over the number of hours they work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10765/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am not aware of any situations where nurses employed in the public health services, following graduation, are earning a starting salary which pays below the minimum wage when divided over the number of hours they work. Nurses participating in the Nurse Graduate Initiate earn 85% of the starting pay of a Staff Nurse in the first year and 90% in the second year. Based on a 39 hour week, as provided for under the Haddington Road Agreement, the annualised salary for first year participants (€23,139) equates to an hourly rate of €11.37. The salary of mental health nurse participants equates to €11.63 per hour. In addition these nurses would also be in receipt of allowances and other premium payments.

Student undergraduate nurses participating in the 4th year rostered clinical placement as part of their degree course, are paid in accordance with the rates specified in the minimum wage legislation, €6.49 for the first 12 weeks, €6.92 for the second 12 weeks and €7.79 for the third 12 weeks, with mental health student nurses 2.3% higher.