Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1953. To ask the Minister for Health if all student nurses and midwives that are on placement are receiving the €100 allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19392/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in the context of COVID-19, I appointed Professor Tom Collins to undertake a short-term review of the current allowances available to student nurses and midwives. His report was submitted to me on 31 December 2020.

I confirmed my full acceptance of the Report’s recommendations, including the key recommendation of an additional and exceptional Student Nurse/Midwife Pandemic Placement Grant. The Report recommended a rate of €100 per week for each week spent on supernumerary placement, to be introduced from January 2021, for the duration of the pandemic. I have confirmed my intention to backdate payment of this Grant to the start of the academic year, September 2020.

Earlier this month, following extensive negotiations between my Department and Representative Trade Unions (INMO, PNA and SIPTU), agreement was reached on progressing the Collins Report’s recommendations.

The agreement means that the Pandemic Placement Grant to student nurses and midwives on supernumerary clinical placement will now be implemented. My Department and the HSE are currently engaging on this matter and I expect that the process for payment of the Grant to eligible student nurses and midwives will be confirmed shortly.