Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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947. To ask the Minister for Health the number of nursing positions in the Saolta group that will be offered to upcoming graduates of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37391/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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948. To ask the Minister for Health if all nursing graduates of 2017 will be offered permanent contracts when they graduate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37392/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under an agreement reached with the INMO and SIPTU Nursing earlier this year, management committed to increasing the nursing and midwifery workforce in 2017 to deliver 1,224 additional permanent posts. As part of the Agreement the HSE have committed to offering all graduating nurses full time contracts. I recognise the importance of recruiting and retaining our graduate nurses and on the 27 April I issued a written direction under Section 10 of the Health Act 2004, to the Health Service Executive, in order to emphasise the importance of full implementation of this Agreement.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the current position in relation to offering permanent contracts to all nursing graduates.