Ms Phil Ní Sheaghdha:

We have had no engagement with the HSE on its involvement with the third level institutions. I understand negotiations are ongoing with one private educational provider, but we are not privy to them. We know that if jobs are available, people like to consolidate their training in the country where they have been trained. There is the obstacle of making the job available, plus we know, thankfully, that school-leavers still consider careers in nursing and midwifery to be attractive. The numbers applying for courses still exceed the numbers of places available. Therefore, if the number of places is increased, there will be applicants. The trick is, as we have said on a number of occasions, to make a contract of employment available in the fourth year when they become employees that will expand the initial period post-qualification. That seems to be entirely sensible to us. It would give us a ready and guaranteed stream of graduates every year. The numbers of college places and the clinical placements have increased slightly since 2017 in specific disciplines. There is a need to increase numbers, particularly, as we said, in children's nursing, intellectual disability and mental health services, as well as the general sphere. The overall intake can and must be increased.