David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make a number of comments on foot of that response. First, this committee certainly should support the recommendation from the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response that Covid should be an occupational illness. We must put the Minister on notice that it is one of the issues we want him to address in his opening statement when he appears before the committee after the recess. I fully concur on the issue of student nursing and the problems they face. It is unacceptable that many of them are not being paid or properly supported. That is something this committee must flag to the Minister when he next appears before it.

It is very important that we support the front-line staff. As this session is on workforce planning, I am struck by Ms Ní Sheaghdha's contribution. When the committee was in private session a number of weeks ago and considering our work plan, I raised the issue of increasing the number of undergraduate and trainee places across the board, and not just for nurses. I will come to Ms Clyne and Professor Irvine shortly regarding GPs, consultants and other specialties. That is an area on which the committee should focus. It is obviously aligned as well with the Department with responsibility for higher education. We must see more placements. Part of that has to be increasing the bursaries and supports. We must examine the total number of measures that would make that happen.

I have a final question for Ms Ní Sheaghdha. I only have five minutes left and I wish to question the other witnesses as well. She said her members are under major pressure. We all accept that. When does the peak arrive in the winter? That is what people will ask. We are heading into the winter season, and any winter is very challenging for the front line. When are we likely to see the peak? In a normal year, and we are not in a normal year, when would the peak be hit, and is she satisfied that when it is hit this year we have the capacity, resources and supports in place to ensure those on the front line can do the job they need to do?