Dr. Rachel McNamara:

On the question on non-training NCHDs, out of that number of 9,000, X number are in formally approved training posts and we know they are not part of the recruitment embargo. However, the non-training NCHDs, of whom 80% were trained internationally or potentially have trained abroad, are the ones caught up in the recruitment embargo. One can see from the opening statement that it is those individuals who cannot progress within the system and they are purely providing service in the main. They are not supported to engage with the development structures and processes in place to progress in their career. That contributes to a whole lot of frustration and dissatisfaction. We heard already about how many issues they have, sometimes in respect of their families joining them. There are massive issues. In fact, in the main, it is international doctors working in emergency departments, which have been a feature of the discussions today. I heard an example of an emergency department that I will not name. Out of the 26 doctors employed in it, 24 are internationally trained doctors. A huge proportion of our emergency doctors are trained abroad. There are huge turnover rates. We are not supporting them at all really to have fulfilling, lasting, long-term careers in Ireland. That is compounding all of the issues we have mentioned as well. We are trying to strongly advocate for them in order that they can be supported. We need additional training posts within the national task force agreement. The aspiration is that all NCHD posts will become training posts and there will be a natural progression within the system. However, we are so far away from that in that we are not hitting those training post numbers, we are not supporting those doctors and there is a huge amount of disenfranchisement and dissatisfaction within that cohort.

I will pass over to Dr. Gilligan.