Holding banners that called for "education not exploitation" and "open ur purses 4 nurses", student nurses from around the country were joined by their work colleagues outside the Dáil today as they held a protest calling for Government support.
They said the demonstration was also an opportunity to express their frustration regarding the delay of the publication of a review of their pay and allowances.
One protester described a situation of being "crippled by the cost of living".
The review was one of two commissioned by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly late last year, following concerns about the pressures facing student nurses and acknowledgement that their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic should be recognised.
Some proposals on foot of the review were revealed in the media today, sparking outrage among nursing unions, who said the Government had continued to keep student nurses in the dark on the details.
In the Dáil this afternoon, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, in response to Sinn Féin's question on the treatment of student nurses, said Minister Donnelly would bring a memo to cabinet shortly.
Mr Varadkar confirmed that student nurses would receive a pay rise of 12.5% during their internships, and that the pandemic placement grant of €100 a week would also continue for now.
The Psychiatric Nurses Association claims this grant is not adequate and that it should be increased and made permanent.
Nurses in receipt of this payment agreed that it is not enough to sustain their costs.
At today's protest, they highlighted the options open to them when they qualify, with one student saying it is "just too hard here... we are not getting enough support".
She added "It is clear a lot will go abroad."
Sinn Féin TD @davidcullinane raises the issue of pay for students nurses and midwives. Tánaiste @LeoVaradkar says there are plans for a 12.5% increase in payments to student nurses and midwives in their internship year. | More: https://t.co/AbsznOLf0z pic.twitter.com/iDWCHP0QYG
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 2, 2021
The Tánaiste also said today that for hospitals, the pandemic is as bad as it ever was.
He said hospitals are facing a very busy winter trying to deal with the pandemic, regular healthcare needs, and "unmet care" as a result of non-Covid treatments being reduced during the initial phase of the pandemic.
He was responding to questions from Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson David Cullinane, who said more than 515 people were admitted to hospitals yesterday without access to a bed.
Mr Cullinane said hospitals are at breaking point and some time-sensitive scheduled treatments are being delayed.
