Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

462. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which adequate numbers of nurses are likely to become available throughout the public health sector over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23773/18]

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

There is a global shortage of nurses and midwives. Irish nurses are much sought after internationally due to the quality of the education, training and experience they have received from the universities and hospital internships.  The recruitment moratorium that was in place across the public service from 2007 has had a lasting impact on staffing levels with some specialties having been particularly affected.

However, despite these challenges, the HSE has succeeded in increasing the nursing numbers significantly to 36,777 at the end of 2017. As part of the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement with the INMO and SIPTU, the HSE agreed to appoint 1,224 additional nurses and midwives in 2017. The final progress report shows that there has been significant growth in the appointment of nurses and midwives in the final months of the year with 942 WTE of the 1,224 posts filled (including student nurses) or 69% (847 WTE) excluding the student nurses. The HSE remain committed to the Agreement and efforts will continue to fill the remaining posts.

The measures put in place by the HSE to recruit nurses and midwives included two international recruitment campaigns in 2017 the "Bring Them Home" campaign and the "New Year New Career". Nurses who relocate to work in the Irish public health service can receive up to €3,000 in relocation expenses. The HSE has also offered all 2017 graduate nurses permanent posts within a Hospital Group or CHO subject to them attaining registration and satisfactory performance. The HSE is currently in the process of offering the 2018 graduates permanent posts. Other efforts to increase nursing supply include an additional 130 nursing undergraduate places that were made available in the 2017 nursing degree programme.

To maintain the supply of nurses it is important to retain the current nurses and midwives. Some of the retention measures undertaken by the HSE include providing 120 Advanced Nurse Practitioner education places, a pre-retirement initiative, career breaks and education and training opportunities for career development.