Written answers

Tuesday, 2 May 2017

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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772. To ask the Minister for Health his views on nursing students on work placements not being paid; if he will consider a review of this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19585/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Student nurses undertake a number of unpaid supernumerary work experience placements during the first three years of their degree programme. In the fourth year they undertake a 36 week clinical placement during which they replace staff nurses on a 2:1 ratio. During this placement they experience the full range of nursing duties and requirements, including week-end and night duty rosters.

A number of specific measures have been taken in relation to pay by my Department and the HSE, including an increase in the rate of pay for the student nursing placement to 70% of the first point of the staff nurse pay scale. In the last quarter of 2016 the Government approved restoration of incremental credit for 2011 to 2015 graduate nurses in respect of the 36 week clinical placement undertaken by fourth year student nurses in the context of the 2017 Estimates. All nurses and midwives are now eligible for incremental credit for the 36 week placement. There are no plans to review payment for the unpaid undergraduate nurses at this time.

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