Menu
17/08/2016
Allowance Payment Agreement Reached For Mental Health Nurses
A payment schedule for a community allowance for mental health nurses has been secured by SIPTU nursing representatives.
The agreement was made at talks between the union and HSE management at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Tuesday, 16 August.
Speaking after the talks, SIPTU Organiser, David Field, said: "SIPTU representatives have worked hard to ensure our members in the mental health services are recognised for the massive contribution they make. Central to this has been agreement on a payment recognising the crucial role of mental health nurses within the community.
"Over the last number of weeks, SIPTU representatives have worked hard to convince the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the reapplication of this essential allowance using the same formula agreed for other groups in the public service."
He added: "Today, it was agreed that the first half of this payment will be made to our members on the 1st September this year. The remainder of the allowance will be provided to members in January 2017.
"Such a payment is badly needed and the failure to provide one has, without doubt, negatively impacted on the recruitment and retention of nurses working in mental health services."
The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health, Helen McEntee, welcomed the announcement.
The Minister said it was a welcomed outcome that industrial action due to begin this morning (Wednesday) will now not go ahead and all other industrial action will cease with immediate effect.
The Ministers thanked the officials from both organisations, as well as the WRC, for their work in negotiating the positive outcome.
(MH/CD)
The agreement was made at talks between the union and HSE management at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Tuesday, 16 August.
Speaking after the talks, SIPTU Organiser, David Field, said: "SIPTU representatives have worked hard to ensure our members in the mental health services are recognised for the massive contribution they make. Central to this has been agreement on a payment recognising the crucial role of mental health nurses within the community.
"Over the last number of weeks, SIPTU representatives have worked hard to convince the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the reapplication of this essential allowance using the same formula agreed for other groups in the public service."
He added: "Today, it was agreed that the first half of this payment will be made to our members on the 1st September this year. The remainder of the allowance will be provided to members in January 2017.
"Such a payment is badly needed and the failure to provide one has, without doubt, negatively impacted on the recruitment and retention of nurses working in mental health services."
The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health, Helen McEntee, welcomed the announcement.
The Minister said it was a welcomed outcome that industrial action due to begin this morning (Wednesday) will now not go ahead and all other industrial action will cease with immediate effect.
The Ministers thanked the officials from both organisations, as well as the WRC, for their work in negotiating the positive outcome.
(MH/CD)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 July 2016
SIPTU Welcomes Confirmation of Additional Payment For Mental Health Nurses
SIPTU has welcomed confirmation that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has approved a payment recognising the vital role of community mental health nurses.
SIPTU Welcomes Confirmation of Additional Payment For Mental Health Nurses
SIPTU has welcomed confirmation that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has approved a payment recognising the vital role of community mental health nurses.
10 September 2014
Irish Association of Suicidology Say Stigma Is A Key issue
The President of the Irish Association of Suicidology has said that stigma is one of the key issues facing people when seeking assistance with mental and emotional health issues.
Irish Association of Suicidology Say Stigma Is A Key issue
The President of the Irish Association of Suicidology has said that stigma is one of the key issues facing people when seeking assistance with mental and emotional health issues.
11 October 2013
Spending On Mental Health Services Must be Ring-Fenced – Neville
Fine Gael Limerick TD and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, has called for the spending on mental health services to be ring-fenced in next week's Budget. Deputy Neville was speaking at the 17th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology, which was held in L'Derry on Thursday.
Spending On Mental Health Services Must be Ring-Fenced – Neville
Fine Gael Limerick TD and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, has called for the spending on mental health services to be ring-fenced in next week's Budget. Deputy Neville was speaking at the 17th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology, which was held in L'Derry on Thursday.
29 April 2016
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
29 November 2019
New Dedicated Mental Health Phone Line Launched
A new dedicated phone line for mental health has been launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly.
New Dedicated Mental Health Phone Line Launched
A new dedicated phone line for mental health has been launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
