Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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44. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the possibility of industrial action by nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4545/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I wish to reassure the Deputy that all efforts are being taken to reach an agreement with the INMO and SIPTU nursing to prevent any industrial action. Discussions between the INMO, SIPTU, my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE have been ongoing over the past week and are continuing.

Issues relating to staffing, recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery staff are being considered. The HSE, Department of Health and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform supplied a joint proposal document setting out a number of specific measures to attract and retain nursing staff, in addition to a funded workforce plan.

As part of the engagement, management are committed to maximising the number of additional nursing posts that can be provided in 2017 within the funding made available in the 2017 Estimates. Management is also committed to addressing recruitment and retention issues, while recognising that remuneration, including the global competitiveness of nursing salaries and allowances, is subject to a process under the auspices of the Public Service Pay Commission.