Ms Phil Ní Sheaghdha:

The statistics show there is an absence rate of just over 7% right now but Covid explains the increase from 3%. It is largely Covid-related illnesses that have caused the additional absence from the front line but it is a fact – we quote the HSE's information – that the highest incidence of infection in any single occupational health group is among nurses and midwives. The second highest is among healthcare assistants. Therefore, the groups that are patient-facing and closest to the patient comprise between them 50% of all the infections with Covid-19. That is very high.