Budget 2017, a nurses story: ‘I may be €310 a year better off but my wage remains low’
She returned to education, paying mature student fees, and graduated with a first-class honours general nursing degree in September 2015.
Her hourly wage now stands at €13.50.
The only way the budget will affect Bernie is through the 0.5% reduction of the three lowest Universal Social Charge (USC) rates.
Bernie is paid twice a month, with a net pay of €973.34. Of this, she paid €40.69 in USC charges. With the rate reductions, she will now pay approximately €27.79 in USC charges in her fortnightly pay cheque.
This will amount to a monthly saving of about €25, meaning Bernie will have approximately €310 more a year in her pocket.
The graduate nurse, however, is severely impeded financially by her year of graduation. This fact was not addressed in yesterday’s budget.
Nurses who graduated between 2011 and 2015 have asked for the restoration of an incremental credit, which has not been granted.
These graduates earn up to €1,400 less than their colleagues who graduated before or after this period.
Another way Bernie was negatively impacted yesterday was through health measures.
“I have type 1 diabetes [where the body does not produce insulin] and have to pay for frequent blood testing at my GP, another financial burden,” said Bernie.
“The Government was supposed to introduce GP visit cards for people with long-term illness but again another broken promise,” she added.
Of her fortnightly net pay cheque of €973.34, and aside from the USC charges, she pays €23.09 in PRD (public service pension-related deduction), €100.12 in tax, PRSI of €49.37 and a pension contribution of €47.55.
She had to cease her health insurance cover three months ago due to her wage level.
“It’s impossible to save for a mortgage with all other outgoings food, ESB, and medical bills. I had to give up my health insurance three months ago,” she said.
Bernie pays €450 a month in rent and lives in an “isolated area” with no public transport.
In order to travel to work, she makes a daily round trip to Limerick of 154km.
One positive from yesterday’s budget is that tax on petrol or diesel was not increased.
“The wages I receive do not correlate with the stress, responsibility and physical and mental burden of a career like nursing.
“It is unbelievably emotionally draining I don’t expect to live a life of luxury but should receive a wage that enables me to live with dignity,” she said.
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