Ms Phil Ní Sheaghdha:

Again, the Deputy is correct. The correlation between assaults and staffing levels is well documented in nursing and midwifery across European and international studies that have proved that when staffing levels are reduced, unfortunately, assault numbers go up. HSE assault figures are recorded by hospital group. Traditionally, they would have only been recorded for the HSE hospitals with the voluntary hospitals being left outside of that, so we do not have a full figure but we know that 60% of all assaults are perpetrated against nursing, are recorded as being perpetrated against nursing and midwifery staff, and are on the increase. The issues are that assaults are not confined to what we would have traditionally viewed as areas of concern such as psychiatry and emergency departments. We see an increased incidence in locations such as children's hospitals and care of the elderly. Again, there is no excuse. It is a requirement of the employer to provide a safe place of work. In particular, with regard to emergency departments, we have an agreement dating back nearly six years where security personnel must be employed. Our members report to us that there are incidences when that is not the case, which is unacceptable. Assaults constitute a problem that is increasing.

In addition, we have significant cross-infection in hospitals with which staff must cope. Staff are becoming unwell themselves because of the incorrect overcrowding and all that goes with that when there is a contagious condition. These are the well-documented consequences that are well known to the employer and the Health and Safety Authority. The employer is obliged to notify the Health and Safety Authority when somebody is absent for three days as a result of an assault at work, so all those figures are available and known. No more than anything else, the pause does not stipulate that the grades of nursing and midwifery be treated in a manner that is any different from any other grade employed in the health service.