This means that nurses and midwives will receive an unstaged pay increase of 2.5 per cent this year. Today's announcement means the recommended pay award will be backdated to 1 April.
Mr McGimpsey said: "I am on record since my first days as Health Minister that I believed that nurses deserve and should have their pay in full. I met with the RCN and other Unions and left them in no doubt that I would take all steps possible to make good on their pay award.
"For pay reviews to be credible, employees have to have the confidence in the system and in its outcome. I remain a strong advocate of sticking to the terms of the deal. Following consultation with my colleague at the Department of Finance and Personnel, Peter Robinson, I am now able to make good on the arrangement for paying our nurses in Northern Ireland.
"This will not just be about settling with nurses, as other groups are involved, including administrative and clerical staff, as well as other support services. They are all important, and it would not be proper for me to consider the pay of just one group.
"This means that all these key workers as part of the wider health service team will get the full recommended pay rise. The additional cost will be managed within the Health and Social Services budget. This will include back pay to 1 April. This pay rise is fully deserved and goes some way towards demonstrating how our health service is valued."
Notes to Editors:
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