The Health Service Executive (HSE) Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Gloster, has pledged that every graduate mental health nurse in 2025 will be offered a permanent position within the health service by 19 September 2025.
The Minister for Mental Health and Government Chief Whip, Mary Butler, welcomed the pledge:
"This is an extremely positive step for our health service and, in particular, for mental health care. I strongly welcome the confirmation that all 2025 graduate mental health nurses will be offered permanent contracts, and that offers will be in place by September 19. This provides certainty for new graduates at the beginning of their careers and ensures that patients benefit from a more stable and sustainable workforce."
Minister Butler added:
"This approach is good for staff and good for patients. Reducing reliance on agency staffing and ensuring our talented nurses can secure permanent positions will strengthen the delivery of mental health services across the country. It will also mean more continuity of care for patients, which is so important in mental health services"
The Minister concluded:
"I want to thank the psychiatric nursing unions, the HSE and Department officials for their ongoing engagement. These commitments will make a real difference in stabilising our workforce, supporting staff, and improving mental health services nationally."
