Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the witnesses for coming before the committee and I thank them and the members of their organisations for the extraordinary work they do in such difficult and stressful circumstances. The country owes a huge debt of gratitude to them, which makes the circumstances in which they are expected to work all the more shocking. Their conditions have not improved, instead they have worsened significantly over the past year.

All the witnesses have been before this committee previously. In the earlier part of last summer, they came before the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response and spelled out in stark terms just what was facing the health service and the country. It seems that no progress has been made since they outlined those problems. Is there anybody at any level in any Department who is focusing on the crisis being faced by the health service from a recruitment perspective? We have heard about vaccines and the management of Covid-19, which are really important, but who is addressing the matter of recruitment? I fail to see where it is being addressed by the Government at any level.

I hope I am wrong but I would like to hear the views of the witnesses on the engagement they have had. Is any work ongoing at Government level in respect of this crisis? It is a vicious cycle because for years the service has been understaffed and under-resourced in terms of facilities and beds in particular. I ask each of the organisations about this in turn. What engagement, if any, is taking place on this? Who is taking responsibility for this recruitment crisis?

It seems to me that the number of hospital consultant vacancies is increasing all the time. We are now talking about over 700 vacancies and another 1,000 Sláintecare contracts were also promised. Is there any progress in either of these areas? Who is taking responsibility?

I will ask the IMO representatives specifically about public health doctors. It beggars belief that, in the context of a pandemic, the Government has not responded to the three reports in the past three years on the shortage of public health specialists and the failure to upgrade those roles.

I will ask Ms Ní Sheaghdha about the nurse experience. We have talked about the lack of a funded workforce plan. Has there been any discussion with the INMO on the service plan? We are still waiting to see that.

There is another point relating to childcare. What is the position in respect of an allowance? Mr. Fitzpatrick said that has been ruled out. Has the INMO made a specific proposal to the Department on a specific allowance for childcare? It is madness that this issue, which is fundamental to the workforce, has not been addressed.