HSE: Package to attract nurses home 'about right'

The HSE has moved to defend its package offered to nurses in the hopes of attracting them home.

The body says the package is competitive despite claims by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) to the contrary.

The HSE is offering salaries of between €27,000 and €43,000 for the 500 successful applicants.

Interim director of human resources at the HSE, Ian Tegerdine, says based on research it is a good deal.

He said: "The research we've done looking at what the UK is offering and what our recruitment agencies are telling us, indicates that we've probably landed the package about right in order to tempt people back."

However, the INMO has warned the HSE that its new recruitment package may not be enough to bring Irish nursing staff back home.

Dave Hughes of the INMO says, while the initiative is welcome, the HSE is facing tough competition.

He said: "It's coming out in a very competitive market, lots of other people are trying to recruit Irish nurses. English agencies are over here at the moment recruiting, Irish private hospitals are recruiting.

"So this is a package, it is not as good as some of the other packages, but the HSE's is more to do with location.

"We wish it well, we hope it gets staff because we urgently need more staff in Irish hospitals."