Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The question I am asking is what additional supports we need to give those graduates going through the system. We have had people talk about student nurses. Trying to get accommodation if going to college is a huge barrier to people. I am asking what happens if they do not have money. Dr. Farrell says they can borrow it. That is not always easy either. The cohort that can actually go through the college system at the moment is very narrow and we need to broaden that if we are to encourage more people. There was mention of what other skills they will need. Clearly, empathy is a skill that every doctor should have, but that is not included in their points if they go for a postgraduate course or whatever else, so there are additional things we need to look at in this regard.

We need to be looking at a package of elements, not just the doctor's surgery and so on. We must first train people and encourage them to stay in the system so that they feel that what they are doing is worthwhile. We also need to broaden the profession to other backgrounds. It should not just be rich farmers' sons and the children of doctors or others of wealth. The system should be open to everyone in society. We should be making it easier for people.