Written answers

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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334. To ask the Minister for Health the way he proposes to stop our exceptionally qualified nurses from leaving the profession due to low pay and inadequate working conditions, particularly newly qualified nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7576/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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There is an international nursing and medical manpower shortage, leading to difficulties in recruiting nurses, doctors and consultants. This difficulty is being experienced by other English speaking countries including the UK, Australia, and Canada. Notwithstanding this, recruitment of additional nurses to support service delivery has been a priority for the HSE in the past two years as it has been possible to increase health funding. Consequently, the total number of nurses employed in the public service has increased by over 1,200 from 34,617 in February 2014 to 35,846 in February 2016 (WTE's).

Following engagement between the relevant parties under the terms of a 'Chairman's Note' to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, a joint document was agreed by the HSE, the nursing unions and my Department that provided for consideration of an increase in the pay rates for fourth year student nurses undertaking the 36 week clinical placement. I am pleased that it has been possible with effect from 1 March 2016 to significantly improve the rate of pay for fourth year student nurses during their clinical placement to 70% of the first point of the staff nurse scale. Recognition for the duration of the placement as public service for incremental credit purposes has also been restored for future graduates.

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