Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Chair letting me in. I listened to as much of the meeting as possible from my office, and it has been a very concerning discussion. The introduction of the pay and numbers strategy is an underhanded move, and the witnesses gave a good description of how it will impact on services. A regional executive officer, REO, was appointed for my region, the mid-west, which suggested the reforms of Sláintecare were being implemented and was a positive indication, but we have since learned that a ceiling will further restrict that role and prevent us from ensuring safe staffing levels.

In respect of UHL, the witnesses might speak to the low morale the nurses are experiencing because of the pressures they are facing. The hospital has had huge increases in the number of admissions, especially among those over the age of 75, and there is strong population growth in that region in particular. In the context of management reform, there has been an indication that national implementation of the reform policy is coming down the line. Have the unions received any information on that? How are things for the nurses in this interim period when disciplinary action is being taken? Is that affecting their workplace?

On the vacancies in UHL, in August I asked how many vacancies there were in nursing positions and was told there were 240.46 whole-time equivalent vacancies. Is that the number the witnesses have? They spoke about the amount of public expenditure that is going on contractors, external consultants and agency staff instead of direct employment in those positions. That comes across as a bit of a waste. Will the witnesses specifically talk about agency staff in UHL and the cost of them, if they have that number? If not, will they speak about national numbers?