25 April 2018
Sinn Féin motion in support for nurses & midwives increased pay and conditions passes Dáil
“The nursing and midwifery professions are at a cross roads – failure to address the nursing crisis will have a calamitous impact on the health service.”
A Sinn Féin motion seeking to secure increased pay and conditions for nurses and midwives in the public sector has passed through the Dáil after it was supported by the Government and other opposition parties.
The health service has faced severe strain in recent months between ever growing patient waiting lists and services being stretched to breaking point. Tabling the motion was Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson Louise O’Reilly, highlighted that nurses and midwifes are the frontline of this crisis, working to ensure that sick citizens are properly cared in a safe environment.
The Dublin-Fingal TD went on to highlight that nursing and midwifery staff make up 33% of the public health workforce, work longer hours than nurses and midwifes in other countries including Britain and Canada.
Recent figures revealed to An Phoblacht show that as many much as 80 per cent of student nurses are considering emigrating for better pay and working conditions.
"Nurses and midwives dedicate their life to helping people, now it is time for the State to help them.” Deputy O’Reilly implored.
“It is time for real, decisive action to resolve the crisis in our health services. The government should agree with the union’s realistic proposals for recruitment and retention of nursing staff and midwifes; a roadmap on how to achieve full pay equality and establish an independent commission on nursing.”