Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health, Stephen Donnelly, has received an assurance from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) that they will waive the €495 registration fee and fast track applications for NHS nurses returning to Ireland. This will be done specifically for nurses who are working in the NHS and who are applying for temporary registration, in order to help with Ireland’s response to COVID-19.
Deputy Donnelly said it was important that any nurse returning from abroad were welcomed with open arms and that their worth was recognised.
He explained, “Pleading for nurses to return home and that their country needs them while telling them they would have to fork out €495 for the pleasure of putting themselves at risk was never going to wash.
“Let’s not forget that before this crisis began, we had a shortage of nurses and a moratorium on hiring so in fighting the lethal spread of COVID-19 we are starting from a low base.
“Fortunately, we are seeing many nurses re-register and others are coming home from abroad. It’s important that there are no roadblocks put in their way, that applications are streamlined, and the prohibitive registration fees waived.
“I spoke with the NMBI yesterday and they informed me that they are working with the HSE to ensure the newly registered nurses are deployed to the areas of greatest need.
“We are eternally grateful to these people and it’s important we show that. They are leaving their loved ones to look after ours,” he concluded.