Ms Phil Ní Sheaghdha:

The health service has increased in capacity. The busyness of the health service has also increased in comparison to the time when the answer to the most recent recession was to introduce a moratorium on recruitment. Another moratorium was introduced in May of this year and really interfered with the ability of people to stay safe during this pandemic; there is no other way of saying it. There cannot be cutbacks on front-line staff in a service that is delivered by people. We have a shortage now that is estimated at just under 5,000 nurses and midwives. We know that maternity services are lacking. We should have one midwife per 29.5 births but we are close to 37 or 38, at best, in many locations. It is a known fact that we are short of midwives and nurses.

Each of the political parties addressed the matter in its election manifesto. Fianna Fáil said 4,000 extra nurses were needed. Fine Gael said 5,000 were needed. This is known. We know we need more front-line healthcare workers. We need more nurses and must do everything we can to retain those who have come through this pandemic so they do not leave. We also need to recruit more and increase undergraduate places. Some 5,000 school leavers looked to study nursing last year and only 1,700 places are available. That is a quick answer. Undergraduate places should be increased.