HSE Allocates €5,000 Allowance for Every Incoming Staff Nurse in Ireland Over the First Three Months
Dublin: The healthcare sector is addressing the challenges posed by a housing crisis by offering special allowances of €5,000 for each staff nurse arriving in Ireland during the initial three months. Some Dublin hospitals, such as the Mater Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital, are taking proactive steps to secure permanent accommodation for their staff, recognising the severity of the housing shortage.
Amid the global shortage of healthcare workers, Ireland is actively competing on an international scale to attract and retain talent. Acknowledging the need to enhance facilities for healthcare professionals, the Health Department is considering increased allowances for nurses and other health workers during their initial months in the country. Although the HSE temporarily suspended recruitment, plans are in place to resume hiring in January and February.
The HSE is presently allocating funds for accommodation, with hospitals securing houses for nurses arriving from abroad who face challenges in finding their own housing. Dublin Maternity Hospital, the country’s busiest, has taken the initiative to rent three houses and is exploring the possibility of converting them into permanent accommodation for new staff if necessary.
The hospital covers the direct monthly rent of €3,000 per house, funded by allowances received from the HSE. Each health worker receives €4,700 from the HSE for their first three months in Ireland. In light of the rising cost of living, midwives are relocating to hospitals outside the Greater Dublin area. The National Maternity Hospital, recognising the need to retain nurses and midwives, is implementing innovative plans to address this challenge.
Beyond nurses, the demand for accommodation extends to paramedical staff such as lab scientists, physiotherapists, and dieticians. There is a growing call to establish permanent hostel facilities for healthcare workers, reflecting the pressing need for comprehensive solutions in the face of these complex challenges.
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