Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1501. To ask the Minister for Health when he intends to implement the key recommendations of the Report of the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1487/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1496, 1497 and 1501 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, I published the Report on the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery 2022 in March. I have accepted all 47 recommendations and their implementation will support nurses and midwives to continue to learn and develop in professional roles, enabling significant reform and ensuring that critical Sláintecare priorities are realised.

I have committed to establishing a process to oversee the implementation of the 47 recommendations which will be led out by Chief Nursing Officer, Ms Rachel Kenna. The Expert Review Body Implementation Oversight Team with key stakeholder representation has been established and work is progressing accordingly on the many priority recommendations identified.

These priorities include review and reform of the undergraduate training programme to deliver more capacity, alignment of the curriculum with delivering integrated nursing and midwifery care, increasing postgraduate training in community care and increasing care through digital solutions as well as recruitment and retention.

Currently, a process considering implementation of the Expert Review Body's recommendations related to pay is in train between officials from my Department, the HSE, and other relevant stakeholders including trade unions. With these talks ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to publicly pre-empt any potential outcome.