The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) congratulated the Executive on making a decision that nurses will be "treated fairly and on the same level as their counterparts in Scotland and Wales".

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced last night that nurses, midwives and some administrative, clerical and support staff are to receive the pay rise in line with a recommendation made by an independent pay review body, backdated to April 1.

"I am on record since my first days as Health Minister that I believed that nurses deserve and should have their pay in full. I met with the RCN and other unions and left them in no doubt that I would take all steps possible to make good on their pay award," he said.

"For pay reviews to be credible, employees have to have the confidence in the system and in its outcome. I remain a strong advocate of sticking to the terms of the deal."

Mary Hinds, RCN Northern Ireland director, said the body had campaigned hard on the issue for many months.

"We are delighted that the minister has been prepared to listen to our case and to support and recognise the value of nurses and the work they do to deliver high quality patient care," she said.

"We are also grateful to Finance Minister Peter Robinson and his Executive colleagues for facilitating this award, and to the members of the Assembly's health committee and politicians from all Northern Ireland's political parties for their support for our campaign. This is a positive step for nursing."

She added that the decision signalled that the "Government in Northern Ireland values nursing".

"They have listened to the voices of nurses and nursing, " she added.

Ms Hinds also highlighted concerns that nursing colleagues in England are now the only group in the UK not to receive the pay rise.

RCN general secretary Dr Peter Carter said: "We are pleased that nurses in Northern Ireland, like their colleagues in Wales and Scotland, will now receive their pay award in full.

"However, we now have the ludicrous situation whereby nurses in England are earning less than those in the rest of the UK. We hope that ministers in England will now honour the recommendations of the independent pay review body."

Mr McGimpsey promised that the cash needed for the pay award would not be taken from any other part of the health budget, causing any other services or groups to suffer.

"The additional cost will be managed within the Health and Social Services budget," the minister added.