Written answers

Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Department of Health

Health Services Staff

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the capacity issues within the public health sector that are being driven in part by low pay and a lack of a clear career path for nurses within the public health sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26059/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There has been a significant improvement in the staffing of the public health services in the past three years as the economic position has improved and additional funding has been made available to support service delivery. From end April 2014 to end April 2017, total numbers employed have increased by over 10,000 whole time equivalents to 111,979.

The number of consultants has increased significantly. At the end of April 2017 there were 2,884 whole time equivalents. This constitutes an increase of 298 since April 2014. The number of NCHDs has also increased significantly, from 4,982 at the end of April 2014 to 6,092 at the end of April 2017, in order to support service delivery and progression of compliance with the provisions of the European Working Time Directive.

Nursing and midwifery numbers at the end of April 2017 stood at 36,549 whole time equivalents, having increased by 625 whole time equivalents in the 12 months from end April 2016 and by 1,870 in the three years from end April 2014. Overall nursing numbers (WTEs) are at the highest level since 2011 with numbers increasing consistently since early in 2014. However, given that numbers fell by 5,000 between 2007 and 2013 and that we face increasing service demands due to a growing and ageing population there is an ongoing need to increase numbers.

Under proposals formulated at the WRC between this Department, DPER, the HSE, the INMO and SIPTU in February and March this year it was agreed that management would increase the nursing and midwifery workforce in 2017, through a broad range of initiatives that provide for 1,208 additional permanent posts. Delivery of these posts is possible through a combination of new development posts, for which additional funding is being provided in the current year, and the local conversion of agency employed staff into direct employees. Key measures include the conversion of agency employed staff into HSE direct employees and offering all graduating nurses and midwives full time contracts. Other important elements include enhanced maternity leave cover; a career break scheme; 130 additional undergraduate places in 2017; and offering nurses and midwives improved educational opportunities and career pathways. Recruitment measures include careers days, HSE attendance at national and international recruitment fairs, and a communication from the National Director for HR to all Nursing and Midwifery Graduates.

A number of specific measures have already been taken in relation to nurses pay. These include additional pay in return for taking on some duties from doctors and 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 4th 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.

In addition to the pay restoration that is provided for in the Public Service Agreements, and which commenced on 1st April, the recently concluded Draft Public Service Stability Agreement provides for pay increases from the unwinding of FEMPI legislation. It will see those earning up to €30,000 receiving a 7.25% increase with the remainder receiving 5.75% over the lifetime of the agreement. However, public sector unions will have to ballot their members on acceptance or rejection of this Agreement.

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