Overtime payments to mental health nurses rose by 1,000%

Auditors raised issues with the processing of overtime payments to mental health nurses in Kilkenny and the cost of an agency consultant for services in Cork.

Overtime payments for nurses in mental health services in Kilkenny increased more than 1,000% between 2013 and 2015, auditors found.

Management blamed staff retirements combined with the moratorium on public sector recruitment for the need in increased overtime.