Applies to nurses in possession of 2 of the 5 registered nursing qualifications where you must have held the qualification or in training for the 2nd qualification on 1st October 1996. In the case of midwifery and sick children's nursing, the dual-qualified scale is effective from 1st August 1998. A staff nurse can only receive either a dual-qualified scale or an allowance whichever is the greater. The exceptions to this are:-

1. Nurses who were paid on the dual-qualified scale on 1st October 1996 and in receipt of a location allowance at 1st August 1998 or eligible for a new location/qualification allowance from 31st March 1999. In such cases, the value of the location/qualification allowance is €1573 which they receive in addition to their dual-qualified scale.
    
2. With effect from 26th November 2003, nurses who are paid on the dual-qualified scale and who then move to an area that attracts a location/qualification allowance will continue to be paid on the dual-qualified scale and will also receive the abated value of the location/qualification allowance of €1573. Payment of the allowance will cease if the nurse moves out of the qualifying area.