Student nurses are to be paid for their work in in hospitals around the country during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Hundreds of student nurses have been working on the frontlines through the course outbreak without any payment.

In a statement this afternoon, Health Minister Simon Harris said all nurse and midwives who have been working unpaid placements will now be offered a contract as a Healthcare Assistant for the duration of the crisis.

“I want to thank our student nurses and midwives for the brilliant work they are doing in this difficult time,” he said.

“We need all hands on-deck through this challenging period.

“This is an offer and not an obligation. But I know so many of our student nurses want to play their role as we navigate our way through these difficult times.

“Our healthcare professionals have shown immense leadership and I will do everything I can to support them.”

Student nurses are to be paid on a salary of €28,000 per year for the duration of the #covid19 crisis

— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) March 26, 2020

First to third-year student nurses take unpaid placements each year as part of their training, in order to earn enough hours to qualify.

Many have warned that they have been unable to return to their jobs outside of the acute sector due to fear they may been exposed to the virus.

Fourth year students are paid €10.47 per hour for their internships.