2048. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the vital role that clinical nurse midwife specialists play in the public health services; when they can expect recommended incremental pay increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31211/24]

Firstly, 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.

The Department of Health 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.

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.

Once I became aware of this issue I sought to ensure that the benefits of recommendation 45 of the ERB could also be applied to the CNS / CMS grade. Following engagement between the two Departments, I can confirm that the Department of Health has now received sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform to allow this to happen.