Allowance Payment Agreement Reached For Mental Health Nurses

A payment schedule for a community allowance for mental health nurses has been secured by SIPTU nursing representatives.

The agreement was made at talks between the union and HSE management at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) on Tuesday, 16 August.

Speaking after the talks, SIPTU Organiser, David Field, said: "SIPTU representatives have worked hard to ensure our members in the mental health services are recognised for the massive contribution they make. Central to this has been agreement on a payment recognising the crucial role of mental health nurses within the community.

"Over the last number of weeks, SIPTU representatives have worked hard to convince the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the reapplication of this essential allowance using the same formula agreed for other groups in the public service."

He added: "Today, it was agreed that the first half of this payment will be made to our members on the 1st September this year. The remainder of the allowance will be provided to members in January 2017.

"Such a payment is badly needed and the failure to provide one has, without doubt, negatively impacted on the recruitment and retention of nurses working in mental health services."

The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health, Helen McEntee, welcomed the announcement.

The Minister said it was a welcomed outcome that industrial action due to begin this morning (Wednesday) will now not go ahead and all other industrial action will cease with immediate effect.

The Ministers thanked the officials from both organisations, as well as the WRC, for their work in negotiating the positive outcome.

(MH/CD)