Mr. Robert Watt:

There are issues relating to retention and, at the start of their careers, younger people going away. The data underpinning the "RTÉ Investigates" report were not correct. Graduates go away for a period and tend to come back. Some stay away for a variety of reasons. One of the push factors is the conditions in the system and issues in certain hospitals, which are well documented. The Minister is committed with regard to non-consultant hospital doctors. He has put in place a working group to look at their working conditions. The Minister has just negotiated a new public-only consultant contract, which we will publish this month.

The Minister has increased the number of undergraduate places and GP-training places. He has managed to secure record funding for the highest number of people in our health system. He has negotiated a new consultant contract and is taking strides to improve the conditions for NCHDs which should over time address the concerns the Deputy raised.