Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Health the basic rate of pay per hour of trainee nurses in each acute hospital; the basic rate of pay per hour of contract nurses in each acute hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14540/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Fourth year undergraduate student nurses undertake a 36 week rostered placement as a key part of their degree programme. When doing so, they are not qualified nurses and require supervision. The following pay scales have been sanctioned, with the agreement of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with effect from 1 July 2013. Slightly higher scales have been sanctioned for Mental Health Student Nurses undertaking the placement, maintaining previous relativities.

Salary Scales for Student Nurses* undertaking 36 week 4^thYear Clinical Placement

First one-third (12 weeks)- €6.49 per hour

Second one-third (12 weeks)- €6.92 per hour

Final one-third (12 weeks)- €7.79 per hour

*Including Midwifery, Children’s and Intellectual Disability.

Salary Scales for Mental Health Student Nurses undertaking 36 week 4^thYear Clinical Placement

First one-third (12 weeks)- €6.64 per hour

Second one-third (12 weeks) - €7.08 per hour

Final one-third (12 weeks)- €7.97 per hour.

The level of pay for this undergraduate placement, split into 3 twelve week periods, is in accordance with the relevant provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act. There are no plans to revise these scales at present.

The HSE, through agency providers, uses contract nurses where it is necessary to do so to ensure service delivery. With regard to pay levels for agency nurses, it is obliged to comply with the terms of the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Workers) Act, 2012. It also incurs VAT and commission. I have forwarded the question to the HSE for direct reply in relation to the rate per hour in each hospital.