Nurses to be updated on progress in cutting work hours

The largest body representing nurses in Ireland is gathering in Kerry this week for its annual conference.

The meeting of the Irish Nurses Organisation is expected to be dominated by discussions of the recent campaign for a 10% pay rise and a 35-hour working week.

Nurses mounted long-running industrial action, but eventually accepted the government line that the pay claim must be dealt with by the benchmarking body.

They did, however, secure a promise that their working hours would be reduced to 37.5 hours-a-week from next June and that a commission would be established to recommend how and when a 35-hour week could be achieved.

INO members will be updated on the progress in this area today, while Minister for Health Mary Harney is also expected to comment on the matter when she addresses the conference tomorrow.