Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
586. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the workforce planning request by her Department for the staffing of community nursing in each HSE region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71117/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department regularly engages with the HSE in relation to workforce composition to inform policy development and workforce planning.
Evidence gathering has commenced in relation to phase 3(ii) of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in community settings. This includes a comprehensive body of independent research and a understanding of the current workforce requirements in the HSE.
The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix (The Framework) is a flexible, evidence-based approach to determine safe staffing and skill mix for nursing based on patient need.
The programme of work aimed to develop and implement a Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in a variety of care settings is undertaken on a phased basis.
Phase 1 of the Framework applies to General and Specialist, Medical and Surgical Care Settings and was published by the Department of Health in 2018. Phase 2 of the Framework applies to Adult Emergency Care Settings and was published by the Department of Health in 2022. Phase 3 has a number of stages and focuses on community care settings.
Phase 3(i) of the Framework applies to Long Term Residential Care Settings and is currently being developed with a policy due in 2026.
Phase 3(ii) is focused on determining safe nurse staffing levels and skill mix within community settings in Ireland.
