Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1882. To ask the Minister for Health when student nurses will be paid their pandemic placement grant for 2021 (details supplied). [2241/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a key Government priority is to protect and support the education of all students, including student nurses and midwives, especially during these times as we continue to deal with the challenges posed by COVID-19.

I requested a review on student nurse and midwife pay and allowances be undertaken and this was completed by Mr. Sean McHugh.  On 4 November 2021, I announced that the Government had approved my proposal to provide significant additional supports, worth €12m, for student nurses and midwives while attending their clinical placements.  These temporary measures will assist these students while work is being undertaken by my Department to progress the recommendations arising from the review.

Among these temporary measures, I extended the Pandemic Placement Grant of €100 per week to all eligible nursing and midwifery students on supernumerary placement, backdating it to September 2021.  Arrangements regarding payments for the period from September to end of December 2021 are currently being progressed and will be completed shortly. Following this payments will begin, with the process expected to be completed in the coming weeks.