asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the growing shortage of trained nurses, he will, as a means of encouraging married nurses to return to nursing, take measures to permit married nurses to be paid at rates related to their pre-marriage experience and qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Before I answer any questions, may I express my appreciation, to those Deputies who persevered?

And sympathy with those who did not.

The normal practice is that nurses employed temporarily by a health authority are remunerated at the minimum of the appropriate salary scale, but where such authorities have proposed to me the award of additional remuneration designed to make the service more attractive to married nurses, I have sanctioned the proposals.