Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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467. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any decision taken by the HSE regarding remuneration for nursing students would have an impact on the degree status of nursing in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44602/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The payment of student nurses and midwives is a matter for the Department of Health.

Student nurses and midwives were paid as healthcare assistants in the earlier part of the pandemic while clinical placements were suspended. An initial assessment of student placementsfor nurses and midwives has been conducted. The Minister for Health has also stated that a short, time-limited examination will now be completed before the end of December in relation to the current allowances to 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students and the situation for 4th year students. He has said the review will be independently verified and will include engagement with representative organisations.

My Department is committed to the provision of graduates for the health service through undergraduate and postgraduate provision, with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce and allow for growth and upskilling in the future.

My Department is represented on the Cross-Departmental group on Workforce Planning and will engage with the group and the Department of Health as necessary to ensure the effective delivery of skilled personnel into the future.