Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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341. To ask the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question number 319 of 2 November, 2016, if he will instruct the HSE to introduce a fast tracking process for the approval of the filling of nursing vacancies at national level, similar to the 28 days for approval of vacancies for mental health service posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40536/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As stated in the HSE's reply to PQ 32709/16 (319 of 2 November, 2016) there is a national shortage of nurses. This shortage is repeated worldwide. A number of developed countries have significant nursing shortage at present, and are in direct competition with Ireland for nurses in the international labour market. I and my officials recognise the importance of recruiting and retaining nurses within the public health system as does the HSE.

The HSE has been focused on increasing nursing numbers over the past two years as the budgetary position has improved and is committed to ongoing recruitment of nurses and midwives. The number of nurses and midwives employed in the public health system stood at 35,693 (WTE's) at the end of October 2016, an increase of 159 on the end September 2016 figure; 530 more than the end October 2015 figure, and 1,289 more than the end October 2014 figure.

In September 2016 the HSE set up a Project Group to review nursing workforce planning, recruitment and retention. The main objectives of this Project Group include identifying current recruitment black spots in a coordinated way and developing measures to incentivise and attract people to these essential posts, identifying potential for agency conversion and identifying employment opportunities for 2017 nurse graduates.

The HSE has continuously open recruitment campaigns in place (i.e. no closing date) to ensure that all eligible applicants for nursing posts can apply at any time to work in hospitals throughout the country. It is running an open recruitment event from 28 to 30 December in Dr Steevens’ Hospital for nurses and midwives from all disciplines who are interested in working in the Irish Public Health Service. Attendees can apply and interview for jobs on the day and get information on Nursing and Midwifery Board (NMBI) registration and Garda vetting requirements. This will be followed by a series of careers events for nurses throughout 2017.

Retention of the nursing staff employed by the HSE also needs to be addressed and this is recognised. The HSE are in the process of analysing the data from exit interviews from nursing and midwifery disciplines to identify trends. In addition to this the HSE will survey new starters to identify areas of improvement in orientation. Providing a full induction can ease transition when taking up a new post and enable the new nurse/midwife to get up to speed with the work environment, thereby supporting retention in the long run.