Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1032. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives who sought proof of registration from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in order to allow them to practice abroad in each of the past six years; his views on the large number of nurses and midwives that are travelling abroad to work after qualifying; his plans to retain them here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26620/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to advise the Deputy of the number of Certificates of Current Professional Status (CCPS) issued for each year from 2012 to 2016 and to 13 June 2017 - these are set out in the table below:

- 2012 - 2,059;

- 2013 - 1,591;

- 2014 - 1,173;

- 2015 - 977;

- 2016 - 1,059;

- 2017 - 491 (up to 13 June).

It should be noted that nurses and midwives request this Certificate when they are intending to work abroad. However, it should be noted that nurses and midwives who receive this Certificate do not in all cases actually travel abroad - some of them may for a variety of reasons decide to stay in Ireland instead of travelling.

Under proposals agreed at the WRC between this Department, DPER, the HSE, the INMO and SIPTU management have committed to increases in the HSE’s National Workforce Plan for nurses and midwives in 2017. Management are to increase the nursing and midwifery workforce in 2017, through a broad range of initiatives that will result in the delivery of 1,208 additional permanent posts; including the conversion of agency employed staff into HSE direct employees, and offering all graduating nurses and midwives full time contracts.

Other key measures agreed include improved maternity leave cover; a career break scheme; 130 additional undergraduate places in 2017; and offering nurses and midwives improved educational opportunities and career pathways which will support recruitment and retention in the medium and long term.

A Section 10 Direction was placed before the Houses of Oireachtas in respect of the agreement. The HSE will have to report to the Minister for Health on the performance and implementation of these arrangements as part of the 2017 National Service Plan. The HSE will also have to provide special reports by June, September and December 2017 on the recruitment of the posts provided in the workforce plan.

A HSE Circular has issued that allows delegation of recruitment to Directors of Nursing. A High Level Group with an independent chair has been established to oversee implementation of this agreement.

The above is in addition to the many other initiatives currently underway to improve nursing and midwifery staffing levels throughout the country. The number of nursing and midwifery staff increased by 113 WTEs from the end of March to the end of April and by 714 WTEs since the end of 2016. Overall nursing WTEs are at the highest levels since 2011 with numbers increasing since 2015 notwithstanding intense global competition for our nurses and midwives.