Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I extend my apologies as I have been following the meeting remotely. I have read the opening statements and have been listening to the debate so far this morning. I join others in thanking all personnel in the front-line health service for what they have been doing. I am the son of a nurse. My mother is now retired but she has said many times over the past two years that she does not know how nurses, particularly younger nurses entering the profession, are coping with all of this. That is where I wish to begin my questioning.

Can I ask Ms McGowan whether young men and women who are in the leaving certificate year and considering college choices are put off joining the profession given what they have seen on TV with regard to pay and conditions, Covid-19 and the abuse Ms McGowan has referred to? At a time when more and more staff need to be recruited, is there a worry that many people will be discouraged from joining the profession?