Nurses and midwives should not lose out on premium pay at this time
Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Minister for Health to respond to concerns nurses have around loss of pay at this time.
Deputy Kelly said:
“I understand from the INMO, that many nurses are concerned about loss of income at this time if they are forced to self-isolate or take time off due to being ill.
“Many nurses receive additional allowances and premium payments for additional duties they undertake, and they see these top ups as part of their wages when they are paid. If they become sick at this time, the Department of Public Expenditure won’t pay these allowances or premiums.
“Nurses and midwives face a greater risk than most of us for coming into contact with Covid-19, and they should not be penalised if they cannot perform their duties on the frontline of this crisis.
“I’m calling on the Ministers for Health and Public Expenditure to engage with the INMO and come up with some arrangement so that nurses who provide essential tasks are not penalised when it comes to self-isolation or sick pay.”