Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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258. To ask the Minister for Health with regard to the supports promised to student nurses and midwives, as announced on 13 December 2022, that are yet to implemented, given that his Department issued a circular to the HSE on 27 February approving the payments and the particular arrangements, if he agrees that the €500 subsistence grant to cover the cost of food, transport and other expenses needs to be implemented urgently; if he will instruct the HSE to implement the rolling out of this grant without further delay and before the start of the 2023-24 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25355/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, following approval by Government on 13th December 2022, I was pleased to announce €9 million in additional supports for student nurses and midwives, €5.4m of which has been allocated to the HSE to introduce an enhanced Travel and Subsistence Scheme for eligible students while attending their supernumerary clinical practice placements.

My Department issued a letter of sanction to the HSE on February 15th confirming that Budget 2023 provides funding to cover the €5.4 million cost associated with the enhanced travel and subsistence scheme for 2023. It also confirmed sanction for expenditure of €2.4 million to cover arrears of travel and subsistence from September to December 2022. The letter of sanction to the HSE requested that payments that were due to eligible student nurses and midwives be prioritised.

My Department also issued Circular 4/2023 to the HSE on February 27th setting out revised arrangements to apply regarding accommodation allowance, the continuation of the travel allowance and the introduction of a subsistence allowance in the form of a €500 meals allowance. These revised arrangements are to take effect from the beginning of the academic year 2022/2023.

My Department continues to engage with the HSE in relation to the prompt implementation of the circular and payment of these allowances.