State to pay €2m after EU ruling on nursing grades

The State is to pay €2m to 100 nurses whose work experience overseas was not taken into account when they took up positions in Ireland.

The Health Service Executive, backed by the Labour Court refused to recognise a nursing grade in Britain which was not practiced here.

However, the European Commission intervention has overturned the decision, in a move which could be worth €20,000 to each of the 100 nurses involved.

Dave Hughes from the Irish Nurses Organisation said he welcomed the hard fought victory.

Dave Hughes of the INO is glad that the nurses grades are now recognised, and says this will lead to higher rates of pay into the future.