Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has called on Health Minister Robin Swann to stop stalling and urgently release the reimbursement of pay for nurses and health workers. 

The Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson said: 

“It is disgraceful that nurses and health workers have still not been reimbursed for strike action. 

“The proposal to reimburse nurses was put forward to the Executive in March by Joint Head of Government, Michelle O’Neill. The necessary finances were then subsequently provided by Finance Minister, Conor Murphy. 

“Despite agreement and the money being giving to Health Minister Robin Swann to reimburse workers, Minister Swann has continued to stall on releasing this money.

“As Chair of the Health Committee, I have consistently raised this issue directly with the Health Minister and placed urgency in getting payments out to health workers.

“There can be no more delay. This money must be immediately released by the Department of Health to nurses and health workers. 

“The workers are the backbone of the health service and society; they should never have been penalised for just strike action in support of better pay and working conditions. 

“This reimbursement of pay will not only put money back into the pockets of our invaluable frontline health workers, but will also be a vindication of their strike action.

“Sinn Féin will continue to work to support our nurses and health workers.”