Siptu calls for talks to discuss nurse deal

Health Minister James Reilly has been urged to meet with Siptu to discuss money-saving alternatives to his “degrading” nurse graduate scheme.

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.