Ms Sarah O'Connell:

I thank the Deputy. While healthcare workers were relieved in one way to hear about the extension of the scheme, it is imperative the HSE and Department of Health work together with the unions immediately to agree an appropriate longer-term plan. The WRC is actually meeting today. The healthcare workers have been on four cliff edges, repeatedly, over the last while. Short-term extension after short-term extension means they are living in limbo. They are having to repeatedly use their very limited energy to lobby their unions and politicians to fight each time. It is torture for people. For example, there was a case of one woman for whom the scheme did end this time on 31 March, as opposed to the previous times where it was extended just in time. It was only just extended yesterday. On 1 April at 9.01 a.m. one healthcare worker received a request from her manager at work to provide a medical certificate. That will tell the Deputy the pressure healthcare workers are under once that scheme ends.