A number of nurses have been sent home from work at hospitals across the country for non-payment of the Annual Retention Fee for 2015.

It is understood that all of those involved were told that their registrations had lapsed by 28 days following two initial reminders.

The nursing body An Bord Altranais says once a nurse is struck off the register it becomes a matter for individual hospitals.

In a statement issued by the INMO this evening, the organisation says it is not permissible to work as a nurse or midwife when you have been removed from the register, and to do so would amount to a very serious matter.