Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 November 2013
614. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 580 of 1 October 2013 the reason medical students on placement in the hospitals for the years 2009 to 2011, inclusive, were not paid; the reason this payment has still not been received, for example, by third level biomedical students in DIT; and the action he or the Health Service Executive is taking to ensure that the payments are passed on to students. [50396/13]
View answerMy Department has indicated to the HSE that a monthly training allowance, as set out in my Department's consolidated salary scales, is payable to Student Medical Scientists on work placement. This allowance was approved for continued award to new beneficiaries, following the review of public sector allowances conducted in 2012. The current rate payable is €813.58 per month. The HSE issued a memo to hospitals in February, confirming that this allowance should be paid to all Student Medical Scientists on work placement. As the payment of this allowance is a matter for the HSE in the first instance, the Deputy's specific enquiry has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.
