19/03/2018 Comments are off SIPTU
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NMBI – Payment Of 2018 Annual Retention Fee

The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland has advised that if any Nurse or Midwife who does not pay their Annual Retention Fee (ARF) the Board will consider the removal of their name from the Register for failure to pay the Annual Retention Fee in accordance with Section 77(1) of the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011.

The next NMBI Board meeting takes place on the week of Monday 26 March 2018 and the names of those who have not paid their ARF will be forwarded to the Board.

Once a name has been removed from the Register practice as a nurse or midwife in Ireland is not permitted. This includes clinical practice, nursing /midwifery management, education or research.

All nurse and midwife registrants can pay ARF online through My Account and the NMBI Payments Line (1890 200 116) will shut on Friday 23 March 2018 at 5 pm.

30/06/2016 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU calls for major reform of Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

SIPTU has called for major reform of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) following publication today (Thursday, 30th June) of two highly critical independent reports examining its operation.

SIPTU Nursing Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “The findings of these reports, conducted by independent consultants, are deeply concerning. They are a vindication of the concerns expressed by nurses and midwives who believed that financial and governance procedures within the NMBI, the state regulatory body for their professions, was either not in place or, where is was, it was flawed.

“Our members’ worst fears have been realised, with confirmation of major deficits in governance and expenditure protocols at the NMBI. In fact, the degree of unaccountability for expenditure of our members’ fees is staggering.”

He added: “It is clear that nurses and midwives were right to oppose the attempt to impose a 50% increase in the NMBI retention fee for 2015. The reports reveal excessive expenditure on external advisors and a lack of transparency on procurement processes within the NMBI. This demonstrates clearly that its structures were not working in the interest of nurses, midwives or indeed the public.”

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell said: “Our members had demanded publication by the NMBI of its annual account of expenditure so they could see what, if anything, the organisation was doing to protect and enhance the nursing and midwifery professions. It is now clear that the NMBI was not only dysfunctional but also detached from the interests of its members and the public as the regulator for the nursing and midwife professions. 

“SIPTU is demanding the establishment of proper governance and oversight of the operation of the NMBI. Integral to this must be the adoption of a transparent communication protocol which allows for our members and other stakeholders to be provided with up-to-date accurate information about its work and finances.”

He added: “The NMBI also has a duty to enter into a dialogue with our members and other key stakeholders with the aim of rebuilding confidence in it. Confidence in its operation is essential for a regulatory body if it is to fulfill its functions and achieve its objectives.”

 

04/12/2015 Comments are off SIPTU Health
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SIPTU member Breda Liston elected onto the NMBI

SIPTU member Breda Liston was elected on the first count to the Nurses and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) on 30th November.

During her election campaign, Breda stressed the importance of having strong trade union representation on the NMBI.

“I am delighted to have received such a firm mandate from nurses and midwives to represent our interests on the NMBI. I have been an active trade unionist all my working life and will continue to be a voice for fairness and value for money for all the nurses and midwives across the country.

“I hope to bring transparency to the NMBI, to campaign to reduce waiting times for nurse’s registration and to protect the integrity of the Lansdowne Road Agreement in relation to its commitment not to increase the NMBI retention fee.

“I wish to thank everyone who voted for me.”

SIPTU Nurses and Midwives Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis said: “Our candidates ran fantastic campaigns full of energy and enthusiasm. The engagement with our membership during these campaigns has been very encouraging. I look forward to working with Breda over the coming years and thank both our candidates for contesting this election.”   

Watch Breda outline what she hopes to bring to the NMBI below

20/05/2015 Comments are off Health Division
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Important NMBI update

Following on from our successful campaign of resisting the retention fee increase the NMBI have released an important update.

In the statement they refer to a recent meeting with Dr Maura Pidgeon. It concerns the consideration of removal from the Register for non-payment of Annual Retention Fee fee 2015 by the Board of NMBI at their scheduled meeting on Tuesday 26th May 2015.

Please see below statement.

“The Board of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) will be considering the removal of names from the Register of Nurses and Midwives for non-payment of the Annual Retention Fee (ARF) at its scheduled Board meeting on 26th May 2015.

Reminder notices were issued on 9th April 2015 to those nurses and midwives who did not pay their ARF for 2015.   If you have still not paid this fee and you are actively engaged in the practice of nursing/midwifery (including clinical practise, education, management or research ) NMBI have requested that you ensure your fee is paid prior to 26th May 2015. Otherwise you run the risk of having your name removed from the Register for non-payment and will not be able to practise nursing/midwifery until your name is restored to the Register.  

If you already paid this fee directly into the NMBI bank account and did not provide your PIN at the time of payment your fee could not be allocated to your NMBI record,   as advised in the Reminder Notice you need to act immediately.   You should urgently contact NMBI Accounts Department at accounts@NMBI.ie providing all relevant details,( eg date of payment, PIN and any other relevant reference details) to ensure your payment is allocated to your account prior to the Board of NMBI considering the removal of names from the Register on 26th May 2015.”

03/03/2015 Comments are off Health Division
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Unions win campaign to reverse NMBI fee increase

SIPTU members support the decision of the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) to end its attempt to increase its annual retention fee, for nurses and midwives, by 50% for 2015.

Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “This decision by NMBI comes after many months of campaigning by SIPTU, INMO and the PNA members calling on the Board to reverse its decision to increase its retention fee from €100 to €150. It is a victory for nurses and midwives across the country.

“Our members from across the health service have been united on this issue from the start. This victory is a testament to their solidarity and determination to see the campaign through until the end. Our members have had to do more work for less pay over the last number years, they decided that this additional tax on their work was a step too far.

“The campaign against this attempted fee hike has ensured that their regulatory body will treat them fairly and not subject them to increased charges in addition to the pay cuts they have endured in recent years.”

SIPTU Nurses and Midwives Sector Chairperson, Rebecca Donoghue, said: “I thank all SIPTU members for the support they have shown to our nurses and midwives across the country.

“We could not have won this campaign without the support and efforts of our colleagues. The €100 fee is a just fee as it retains the link with the fee paid by other health professionals to their regulatory body.”

02/03/2015 Comments are off Health Division
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Nurses & Midwives To Hold Further Lunchtime Protests Against NMBI Fee Increase

Nurses and midwives, members of SIPTU, INMO and the PNA, will hold further lunchtime protests, in locations across the country, today, Monday, March 2, against the proposed 50% increase in the annual retention fee being sought by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)

Sector Organiser Kevin Figgis said: “Members will hold lunchtime protests, which will not affect any services, in locations across the country including Dublin, Cork, Sligo and Drogheda. The NMBI Board is scheduled to meet, in special session, on this Tuesday, March 3, to consider a proposal to amend the fee having sought to impose this increased fee, without any prior consultation, since January 1, following a 12% increase in the fee imposed in 2014.

The campaign of opposition which has seen tens of thousands of nurses/midwives not paying the increase continues to gather momentum despite repeated efforts, by NMBI, to intimidate nurses and midwives to pay this unprecedented fee increase. This intimidation has taken the form of notices saying nurses and midwives cannot work if they are not on the register. In response, the three nursing unions have pointed out that the health service cannot work without nurses and midwives.

The campaign will continue until the NMBI reverses its decision and restores the previous €100 fee which is the same paid by other health professionals.”

20/02/2015 Comments are off Health Division
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SIPTU nurses and midwives organising local protests against NMBI fee increase

SIPTU nurses and midwives are organising lunchtime protests at hospitals across the country on Monday, 2nd March, to highlight the attempt by the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) to increase its retention fee by 50%.

SIPTU Nursing Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “ SIPTU is encouraging all nurse and midwives to stand together and hold a lunchtime protest on 2nd March. This is the day before the forthcoming special NMBI board meeting, which has been called to consider a proposal to amend the fee. “We would encourage all health members to organise with their colleagues to make their voices heard loud and clear on that day. Members should liaise with their local organiser so that they can be advised of the specifics of their local protest.”

He added: “These protests will again demonstrate the strong support for the campaign and for the need for the NMBI board to reverse their decision and restore the €100 fee.”

06/02/2015 Comments are off Health Division
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NMBI Board to consider unions’ position on fees

The Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) is considering a demand that it reverse a decision to implement a 50% increase in its retention fee following a meeting between its senior staff and union representatives on Thursday, 5th February.

SIPTU Nursing Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “At the meeting representatives of the three health unions, absolutely and repeatedly, reaffirmed our view that the retention fee, levied by NMBI, must be maintained at the current €100 rate.

“The NMBI team, noting our absolute position with regard to the €100 fee being restored, said that it would be taking the outcome of the meeting, and specifically our position with regard to a €100 retention fee, back to the Board at a meeting scheduled for next Monday, 9th February. The Board’s negotiating team indicated that they would revert back to the unions on Tuesday, 10th February, to provide us with the Board’s decision on this matter.He added: “In the interim we stress that members should pay the €100 fee when their personal circumstance allows.  Please note a record should be kept, of any payment, and your PIN number should be submitted with the €100 payment.”

30/01/2015 Comments are off Health Division
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SIPTU to attend NMBI talks

SIPTU has accepted an invitation to enter into talks with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) on Thursday 5th of February.

SIPTU Nursing Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said following Minister for Health Leo Varadkar’s recent request that the NMBI, and the three nursing unions, meet to discuss solutions to the current deadlock.  

“The purpose of this meeting is to discuss, and agree, a framework for discussions, involving an independent third party chair if necessary, in an effort to resolve the current dispute,” said Kevin Figgis

He also said that the campaign will continue and advised SIPTU members to only pay €100 to the NMBI, when their personal circumstance allows, as previously advised.

“This new initiative, to resolve the current dispute, comes about as a direct result of the success of our hard fought campaign of resistance and I thank all members and the public for their support”

30/01/2015 Comments are off Health Division
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NMBI must answer questions on fee increase

The Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) is being asked by its members to justify, with supporting evidence, why its fees have increased by 80% during a period when their take home pay has been reduced twice.

SIPTU Nursing Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “Our union is requesting that Nurses and Midwives send a letter to the NMBI outlining their concerns on the increase and demanding reasons how it can be justified at a time when their pay has decreased dramatically and their working week has increased.

“Our members need concrete answers from the NMBI as to why this increase has come about and for transparency in how the NMBI spends the millions of euro collected in existing fees.  A template letter has been drafted for members to personalise and send to NMBI.”

This letter can be downloaded at siptu.ie. NMBI is currently attempting to increase members’ retention fees from €100 to €150 for 2015.

Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar met with NMBI on Thursday, 29th January and further engagement, between NMBI and the unions is scheduled.

“We are pleased that the Minister continues to engage with the unions and the NMBI with a view to finding a solution. The campaign against this fee hike is growing day by day and our members are continuing to circulate, and wear, the registration badges, confirming their involvement in the campaign with pride,” Kevin Figgis said.

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