Ms Rachel Kenna:

We are continuing with annual funding for the implementation of safe staffing over the last five years to a total of €56 million. One of the main principles of the safe staffing framework for nursing, which is the largest workforce throughout the whole system, is that we have a sustainable workforce and a stabilised workforce. This means you have to reduce your reliance on agency and overtime. Generally, around 80% is the figure of permanent and whole-time equivalent staff as part of your team that allows for that flexibility for clinical judgment of patient care as and when the need arises. There should be a sustainable approach. We have proved through evidence that this results in better patient outcomes when there is that stabilised workforce.