Siptu calls for talks to discuss nurse deal
In a letter to Dr Reilly, the union’s health sector organiser, Kevin Figgis, said “alternatives” must be considered due to the failure of the plan to attract candidates.
Under the plan, 1,000 nurse graduate two-year contract positions were made available. However, it is believed at most 100 applications have been received.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses Association continue to boycott the positions, which would see those taking up the roles paid just €21,700 a year.
“A letter sent to the minister on behalf of the Siptu nurse and midwife sector committee requests an urgent meeting to discuss the ending of the graduate nursing scheme and outline alternative cost-saving proposals,” said Mr Figgis.
Nurses union general secretary Liam Doran made a similar request on Friday.
Dr Reilly has said he does not want “to get into megaphone diplomacy” with unions, but was open to “re-engaging with the INMO” on the nursing issue, said Mr Doran.
