Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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360. To ask the Minister for Health the efforts that will be made in budget 2017 to ensure a reduction in the use of agency staff and to improve the working conditions of nurses to ensure that the HSE can attract and retain nurses in our health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29256/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Nursing and midwifery recruitment and retention is a priority for the health service. The HSE is focused on offering graduating nurses and midwives permanent posts and on replacing agency staff with permanent staff. Recruitment of additional nurses is the subject of considerable ongoing activity by the HSE and voluntary hospitals with campaigns in train in Ireland and abroad with a relocation package of up to €1,500 available to nurses who return from overseas. The campaigns encompass General, Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Registered Children's Nurses, and also Midwives. My Department is in regular contact with the HSE on matters concerning the recruitment of nurses and midwives and other key staff.

The level of funding being made available for my Department in 2017 is being considered within Budget 2017 and the Estimates process. It will support the recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives.