Nurses and midwives call for better pay to stop recruits moving abroad

Pay and staff shortages are set to dominate the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation conference which gets underway in Cork today.

Over the next three days, 350 INMO delegates will debate issues including the right to conscientious objection if abortion is introduced in Ireland.

Delegates will also debate delivering an ultimatum to Government - that if it does not concede their demand for better pay, they will resort to industrial action.

The Health Services Executive accepts the INMO view that there is a significant problem recruiting and retaining nurses and midwives. However, they differ on how to address it.

The INMO argues that pay and allowances for nurses and midwives must rise to incentivise them not just to join the health service, but to stay there.

However, the Government fears a special deal for nurses would trigger knock on claims from other sectors experiencing staff shortages.

A Public Service Pay Commission report into recruitment and retention is due by the end of June.

The INMO will also reveal its latest survey of the intentions of graduating student nurses regarding staying in Ireland or emigrating.

A motion calling for the right to conscientious objection to be upheld for nurses and midwives who do not wish to be involved in abortion services if the Eighth Amendment is repealed will be debated in private session.