31/03/2026 - Dear Colleagues,
I wish to bring to your attention some updates regarding developments in matters that affect many members and are especially of note considering our upcoming conference takes place on April 16th and 17th.
Fuel Costs:
As you are all more than aware, the soaring cost of fuel due to the Iran Conflict has had a costly effect on members, as they continue to subsidise the additional costs of travel, associated with work, at the pumps. Although Government have taken steps to reduce this cost, it does not compensate for the losses that have, and continue to be, suffered. We raised this matter with the HSE last Thursday at our National Parallel NJC. The PNA sought, that during this period, all mileage should be paid at the highest HSE band rate to reimburse these high costs. Considering that Mental Health is predominantly Community based, we believe that our services are disproportionately impacted and action is required immediately. Our claim will now be brought to the Department by the HSE and we will keep you informed as soon as we hear a response.
2004 Graduates:
The PNA have been progressing a claim for the 2004 Graduates, for over two decades, regarding their classification as New Entrants under the 2004 Superannuation Scheme. Over the past 5 years, the issue has, on many occasions, appeared to have progressed only to then collapse once again. Nonetheless, it has now been agreed by the HSE that they will attend the Workplace Relations Commission to initiate Conciliation talks on the claim. This had previously been denied by DPER but has now been agreed through our Section 65 process meetings. Although this gives no certainty to a positive outcome, it is a massive step forward in finally bringing the matter to a conclusion. The WRC has been set for May 19th and we look forward to putting forward our case.
Long Covid:
Following two Labour Court recommendations and a lengthy battle to maintain Special Leave With Pay entitlements for those suffering from Long Covid, the scheme came to end in December 2025. We made it very clear throughout the process that such an action would be an abandonment of those Nurses that put themselves in harms way during a perilous time in our Nations history and would be seen as a cynical act by the employer. Nonetheless, recent comments made by the Taoiseach in Dáil Éireann, have reinvigorated the cause and given hope to the possibility that the decision could be reexamined. With regard to where people had contracted the illness, contrary to the employer’s position, he stated “While one can never be totally definitive on that”, he said, “it is a fairly plausible scenario that many did, particularly in the earlier phase when we had lockdowns and so on. Particular variants were more infectious than other variants. I will revisit this”, he added.
We have now written to the Taoiseach and requested that he use whatever resources are available to him to reexamine this issue. We hope that his reasonable and intuitive opinion is the beginning of a positive outcome for members who continue to be affected by Long Covid. We will continue to update you as developments arise
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Michael Hayes,
Deputy General Secretary,