Pay rise sanctioned for student nurses and midwives

A pay rise has been sanctioned from March 1 for student nurses and midwives who had been earning less than the minimum wage following cuts imposed by government during the economic crisis.

The move, which will affect approximately 1,400 student nurses, will see their pay rise from a minimum of €6.86 per hour to €9.48.

Nursing unions and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have welcomed the revised arrangements which they say should help retain student nurses in the workforce. Research by USI found that 93% of student nurses have thought about emigrating when they qualify.