Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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371. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the discrepancy between the current CNM2 and CNS pay scales, which to-date have seen the CNS pay scale being omitted from the additional scale point, and the introduction of the long service increment; the progress being made in addressing this matter, as per the recommendation of the expert review body on nursing and midwifery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30650/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to acknowledge the very important part that Clinical Nurse and Midwife Specialists (CNS/CMS) play in our health sector.

They have a key role in the effective coordination of care for patients in our Health Service. My Department is committed to the continued and ongoing development and support of the CNS and CMS roles going forward.

Recent increases applied to the Clinical Nurse/ Midwife Manager 2 (CNM2/CMM2) scale were a result of the implementation of recommendation 45 of the Expert Review Body (ERB) on Nursing and Midwifery.

I understand that there are calls for the CNS/CMS grades to now also be included in the implementation of recommendation 45 of the ERB. While I understand that the salary of the CNS/CMS role has historically been aligned with the CNM 2/CMM 2 role, the terms of reference for the ERB did not incorporate the CNS/CMS for pay related considerations.

I can advise that my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure on this matter.