24/02/2016

Nurse Pay Rises Welcomed But 'Not Enough' - SF

Sinn Féin have welcomed the pay increase for student nurses and midwives announced at the end of last week, but said that it was "it is not enough to encourage more nurses to return home".

Sinn Féin councillor and election candidate for Dublin South Central Máire Devine, said: "Cuts to student nurses pay was a huge mistake and we have paid the price with nurses leaving the country in droves to seek better working conditions and opportunities elsewhere.

"The government has now decided to increase pay to over the minimum wage, while this is welcome I am also extremely disappointed that this pay increase is not being applied retrospectively.

"Pay is not the sole reason why it is proving increasingly difficult to retain nurses, working conditions are a key factor.

"Sinn Féin has pledged to reverse the massive cutbacks to nursing numbers overseen by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour by recruiting an additional 2500 nurses over a five year term.

"We aim to also make working in the Irish health service more attractive by making working conditions better."

(MH/LM)

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