Student nurses to protest over meal allowance

Student nurses in Sligo have balloted overwhelmingly in favour of protest action following a rejection of their claims for a paid meal allowance.

The students, who are based in Sligo General and Cregg House, have consistently attempted to get their issues addressed by their employers, but without success.

Irish Nurses Organisation Industrial Relations Officer, Noel Treanor says it is time for management to sit up and take notice.

“The current situation where students are restricted from accessing a reasonable and balanced meal is deeply unsuitable. Management locally have turned a blind eye to the issue, but other health boards have agreed to a meal allowance which leaves the student free to avail of meals appropriate to themselves," he said.

Students are planning protest actions over the coming weeks in an attempt to highlight their issues.