A major new recruitment campaign, which aims to attract nurses and midwives working abroad to come and work in Ireland, has been launched by the HSE.

It is hoped that the campaign will particularly appeal to Irish nurses who left this country to work in the UK.

Altogether, it aims to attract up to 500 nurses and midwives from the UK and further afield, with all successful applicants being provided with a relocation package.

This package includes removal/relocation expenses of up to €1,500 tax free, including the cost of flights. The cost of registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board will also be covered for one year.

Successful applicants can also look forward to funded post-graduate education.

The HSE said that those coming to work here from abroad will be provided with permanent contracts of employment, with a salary scale of €27,211-€43,800, with additional pay for things like shift work.

It also insisted that they will be working a 39-hour week and will have ‘opportunities for continuing professional development and an excellent public service pension'.

"The campaign will focus on connecting with nurses and midwives in the UK and further afield via advertising on social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter and a dedicated site, www.nursinginIreland.ie, during the coming months.

"This activity will be complemented by print advertisements in Irish newspapers to raise awareness of the recruitment drive among those who may have family and friends abroad who might be interested in these positions," explained Ian Tegerdine, the HSE's national director of human resources.

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