Surge in Indian Nurses in Ireland Amid Ongoing Recruitment from Kenya
Dublin: According to figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office, over 6,000 nurses registered in Ireland last year, with more than half—approximately 3,000—coming from India. Despite a hiring freeze, these nurses were issued NMBI pin numbers. Health sector work permits accounted for a significant portion of Ireland’s work permits this year, with 9,907 of the 30,174 permits issued dedicated to healthcare roles, double the number granted in the tech sector. More than 10,000 permits were issued to Indian nationals alone.
To maintain the current nurse-to-patient ratio, Ireland is projected to need an additional 13,000 nurses by 2041. Meeting this target would require training or recruiting 2,000 nurses annually, including international hires.
Bilateral Recruitment Agreement with Kenya: INMO Concerns
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly recently announced a new bilateral agreement to facilitate the recruitment of nurses and midwives from Kenya, following similar arrangements Kenya has with the UK, Germany, Austria, and Saudi Arabia. This recruitment follows World Health Organisation and OECD guidelines to ensure ethical hiring practices from countries facing their own healthcare challenges.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), however, has raised concerns, with General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha criticising Ireland’s dependence on international recruitment due to domestic policy shortfalls. She expressed disappointment, noting that the Minister previously opposed such practices. In response, the INMO has signalled an impending strike, emphasising the urgent need for strategic staff planning and retention measures.
Irish Samachar English News
{OR} Kindly click to follow the Irish Samachar News channel on WhatsApp