Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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775. To ask the Minister for Health if he will furnish details of the nursing midwifery graduate initiative; if the initiative is open for applications and the numbers of graduates facilitated by the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18875/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Haddington Road Agreement provided for the recruitment of up to 1000 Nurse Graduates on a 2 year programme to be employed at 85% of the first salary point of the January 2011 staff nurse scale, progressing to 90% of same in year 2. The Initiative supports the retention of recently qualified graduate nurses and midwives within the Irish health system and enables them to gain valuable work experience and development opportunities post-graduation.

Given the requirement to reduce public service numbers and maximise savings, it is not possible to offer permanent posts at the starting point of the Staff Nurse Scale to graduates at this time, other than in very limited circumstances. Census returns for March 2014 show 463 nurses having commenced employment under the scheme (WTEs).

Recruitment under the Graduate Nurse Initiative is being conducted locally by Hospitals/Services. As vacancies arise, they are advertised on the HSE Website.