If you are a nurse, midwife, or other healthcare professional considering a move to Ireland — or already working within the HSE system — understanding the current HSE pay scale 2026 is essential for planning your financial future. This guide breaks down every scheduled pay increase, explains what it means for nurses specifically, and outlines what international candidates can expect when joining the HSE.
What Is the Public Service Pay Agreement 2024–2026?
The Public Service Pay Agreement 2024–2026 (sometimes referred to as the “30-month deal”) is a landmark collective agreement negotiated between the Irish Government and public sector unions — including the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO). It was finalised in January 2024 following 22 hours of intensive negotiations, replacing previous interim arrangements.
The agreement sets out a structured schedule of pay increases for all Irish public servants, including everyone employed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Critically for lower-paid workers, the deal uses a combination of flat-rate cash increases and percentage rises — ensuring that those on more modest salaries receive a proportionally higher benefit, in response to Ireland’s cost-of-living pressures.
Full Schedule of HSE Pay Increases: 2024 to 2026
Below is the complete timeline of pay increase instalments as agreed under the deal:
| Effective Date | Increase | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2024 | 2.25% or €1,125 (whichever is greater) | First instalment; flat-rate floor protects lower earners |
| 1 June 2024 | 1% | Percentage-only increase |
| 1 October 2024 | 1% or €500 (whichever is greater) | Flat-rate floor again applied |
| 1 March 2025 | 2% or €1,000 (whichever is greater) | Largest 2025 instalment |
| 1 August 2025 | 1% | Percentage-only increase |
| 1 September 2025 | 1% (local bargaining) | Local bargaining instalment; applied to basic pay cost |
| 1 February 2026 | 1% or €500 (whichever is greater) | 2026 first instalment — now in effect |
| 1 June 2026 | 1% | Final instalment under the agreement |
📅 Where we are now (February 2026): The 1 February 2026 pay increase — 1% or €500, whichever is greater — has just taken effect. The final instalment of 1% follows on 1 June 2026, completing the 30-month pay agreement.
What Does This Mean for HSE Nurses in 2026?
For nurses and midwives employed by the HSE, the cumulative effect of all increases since January 2024 adds up to a meaningful uplift in take-home pay. A staff nurse who joined at the midpoint of the pay scale would have seen their annual basic salary increase well beyond the headline 9.25% figure, particularly if they benefited from the flat-rate instalments — where €500 or €1,000 floors ensured lower-banded nurses received a proportionally higher rise than the percentage alone would have delivered.
In addition to the general pay rounds, the agreement secured specific improvements for senior nursing grades. Under the separate Expert Review into Nursing and Midwifery, increases for CNM2/CMM2, PHN, and CNM3/CMM3 were backdated and implemented from 30 September 2023. Further negotiations on pay for ADONs, DONs, and related grades were committed to in Q1 2024, representing an additional layer of benefit for those pursuing management and leadership pathways in the HSE.
The agreement also normalised access to the Enhanced Nurse/Midwife Pay Scale, and included commitments on safe staffing through the Safe Staffing Framework — both of which have long been priorities for INMO and individual nurses seeking better working conditions alongside improved pay.
HSE Pay vs. Agency Nursing and Private Nursing Homes
One of the most common questions from international nurses considering Ireland is whether the HSE pays competitively compared to agency work or private nursing home employment. The Public Service Pay Agreement makes the HSE increasingly attractive for several reasons beyond the basic salary:
HSE employment offers full pension entitlements under the Public Service Pension Scheme, job security and incremental salary progression, access to the Enhanced Nurse/Midwife Scale, INMO union representation and collective bargaining rights, structured CNM career progression, and eligibility for the Critical Skills Employment Permit sponsorship. Agency nursing may offer higher hourly rates at entry, but it typically lacks guaranteed hours, pension benefits, and the structured salary progression that the HSE provides. For international nurses building a long-term career in Ireland, the HSE’s total compensation package — particularly when the 2026 pay scale uplift is factored in — is highly competitive.
What International Nurses Need to Know About the 2026 Pay Scale
If you are an internationally educated nurse or midwife considering the HSE, the current pay agreement provides a stable and transparent earnings framework to plan around. Here is what matters most for overseas candidates:
Pay scale placement: Your starting point on the HSE nurse pay scale will depend on your years of post-registration experience, as assessed during the recruitment process. NMBI registration is a prerequisite for any paid nursing role in Ireland. Incremental progression: Beyond the agreement increases, nurses move up salary scale points annually based on satisfactory service — meaning your real pay growth exceeds the 9.25% headline figure over time. Visa and permit sponsorship: The HSE sponsors nurses under Ireland’s Critical Skills Employment Permit, which means your salary will automatically reflect the current agreed pay scale, including 2026 increases. Cost-of-living context: Ireland’s cost of living — particularly in Dublin — is significant. The flat-rate elements of this agreement were specifically designed to assist workers on lower and middle incomes navigate these pressures, which is directly relevant to nurses new to Ireland who may be on lower scale points initially.
HSE Pay Scale 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the final 2026 pay increase come into effect?
The second and final 2026 instalment — a 1% increase — takes effect on 1 June 2026, completing the 30-month Public Service Pay Agreement.
Q: Do the 2026 increases apply to internationally recruited nurses?
Yes. All nurses and midwives employed directly by the HSE — regardless of where they trained — are employed on the agreed public service pay scales and receive all increments and general round increases as they fall due.
Q: What is the local bargaining clause?
The local bargaining clause allows specific pay-related claims to be raised and resolved within the lifetime of the agreement at a local or sectoral level, separate from the general round increases. For nurses, this was used to address the outstanding recommendations from the Expert Review into Nursing and Midwifery.
Q: What happens after June 2026 — is there a new pay deal?
The current agreement expires in June 2026. Negotiations for a successor agreement would typically begin in advance of that date. International candidates should follow updates from the INMO and HSE for announcements on any new framework.
Q: How does the Enhanced Nurse/Midwife Scale work?
The Enhanced Scale provides an additional set of salary points above the standard scale for nurses and midwives who meet defined criteria related to qualifications and scope of practice. The 2024–2026 agreement improved access to this scale, making it available to a broader cohort of nursing staff.
Q: I am a CNM2 — did I get extra increases beyond the general rounds?
Yes. CNM2/CMM2, PHN, and CNM3/CMM3 grades received targeted increases from the Labour Court’s Expert Review into Nursing and Midwifery, backdated to 30 September 2023, in addition to all general round increases under the main agreement.
Why the HSE Pay Scale 2026 Matters for International Recruitment
For healthcare professionals weighing up career options — whether in the UK, Australia, the Middle East, or elsewhere — the Irish HSE’s structured and transparent pay framework is a significant differentiator. The Public Service Pay Agreement provides certainty: you can map out exactly when your pay will increase and by how much, which is invaluable when making major relocation decisions.
Combined with Ireland’s strong demand for nurses, the Critical Skills Employment Permit pathway, NMBI registration support, and a healthcare culture increasingly built around safe staffing principles, the HSE pay scale 2026 positions Ireland as a compelling destination for internationally educated nurses and midwives seeking long-term career stability.
Sources & Further Reading
This article draws on the official INMO member update on the Public Service Pay Agreement 2024–2026, the HSE HR Circular on pay scales, and the Labour Court recommendations from the Expert Review into Nursing and Midwifery.
This content is for informational purposes. For the most current HSE pay scales applicable to your grade and scale point, consult your HSE HR department or INMO representative.
