Some student nurses and midwives are to be allowed to claim the Pandemic Unemployment Payment if they were unable to continue part-time jobs due to public health restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed.
During the early stages of the pandemic, many of the 4,500 students were used as Health Care Assistants during their placements to boost staffing, at a time when admissions were surging, and absenteeism rates were rising due to Covid-19.
However, those with part-time jobs in settings, such as nursing homes, were forced to stop working there due to the fear of cross-infection.
As a result, some suffered a drop in income on which they were relying to fund their studies.
Now, Minister Donnelly has confirmed that student nurses who lost those part-time jobs will be eligible for the PUP, effective from the date of the loss of employment.
Individual eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, with proof of previous employment required.
A spokesperson for the minister said it was a key Government priority to support the education of all students, including nurses and midwives.
She noted that all nursing and midwifery students are required to complete 45 weeks of supernumerary clinical placement, which is viewed as the best form of training to meet the required standards.
She acknowledged that the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation had raised issues over the loss of income during the pandemic due to the reduction in opportunities for part-time work, particularly in nursing homes.
The spokesperson said the INMO had been informed of the development regarding PUP eligibility last week, and that the Department of Health would be working closely with the Department of Social Protection to deliver support to the students.
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Meanwhile, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has told the Dáil that pay for student nurses is under consideration but is unlikely to be in place until September 2021.
He was speaking during Leaders' Questions in response to questions from Sinn Féin.
The Government last night voted down a motion by Solidarity People Before Profit to reinstate the pay of student nurses and midwives who are on placement during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Varadkar rejected claims by Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty that these students are being taken for granted.
He said he was "very aware" that praise and applause do not pay any bills.
"In terms of the matter of student pay, this is a matter that is being considered," Mr Varadkar said.
Mr Doherty said: "The reality is that these student nurses and midwives are being taken advantage of.
"They are being exploited, they are being taken for granted and they deserve so much more, not claps, not slogans, not platitudes, but they deserve to be paid."
Mr Varadkar said there are a lot of students in Ireland who do not get paid, including teaching students.
Exceptions are made for trained gardaí and for student nurses in their pre-registration year.
He said student nurses are required to complete 45 weeks' training.
"It is not fair to say that they have been taken for granted," he said.
Additional reporting Mary Regan
