HSE backs payments call for trainee nurses

The Health Service Executive is backing the call from student nurses and midwives to retain pay for fourth year trainees.

Thousands of members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation protested in Dublin today against proposals to phase out the payments by 2015.

Students are currently paid 80% of a staff nurse's salary during their final year, nine-month placement.

The Government announced last week it would review the plan.

The HSE's Director of Human Resources, Sean McGrath, is supporting the trainee nurses and midwives.