Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is not a question of whether the HSE should remunerate them. Ms O'Connor has said the HSE does not know at a given point how many students are in the health system. They are being trained and under supervision. There has been a major conversation around student nurses and midwives and whether they should be paid or remunerated or receive stipends, etc. Should we look at this, even if it comes through the institutions? It comes within the context of the HSE's work. I hear all the time about students working in the 23 disciplines, as have been mentioned, and they do not see how they can continue or they are concerned about progress. They cannot afford to do this because they may have to take time from their other work to do this training, etc. Should there be more responsibility put on the Minister or whomever to provide stipends in order to facilitate students? Will students continue coming through the system because they are pursuing something of a vocation?

I will jump to the other two questions before the witnesses respond. I reference the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, report that was publicised at its conference indicating that approximately seven staff per day are physically attacked in their work. What engagement has occurred with the INMO on this and what impact will the content of the report have on staff recruitment or retention? I will come back in with the other question, which has skipped completely out of my head.