Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentation and information. They referred to the positive impact of a changed approach by the HSE to recruiting graduates directly, offering contracts and having the proper training. How far did they go back in their inquiries? Did they ask how many graduates are opting to enter the health service? What is the percentage now? What quantifiable change did they identify in the report? If we are to be serious about holding on to people, we need to make the job attractive from the start for those graduates who have gone through our educational system which is highly regarded throughout the world. Recruiters from other countries come here. We could solve the problem if we championed that and made it attractive for graduates to come out of college and work within our health service.

The report refers to having more undergraduate courses. Has that happened? Are more courses available and, if so, to what extent? Are they available throughout the country or only in specific parts of the country? It would be interesting to know how many graduates are joining the health service directly from college compared with previously. The State has come through the dark period of the economic crisis and is doing better now. Emigrants are also returning.