Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome more people being able to get jobs in the HSE. I did my leaving certificate in 2008 and most of my friends who studied health went abroad. They are coming back but find it impossible to get full-time permanent jobs. This has a major impact on being able to get a mortgage, move out of the family home, etc. The embargo impacted on them further.

Regarding private consultancy firms, we have heard that the unions have argued that the money spent in 2023 alone – €80 million – could have been used to recruit people to a significant number of posts in areas that were badly understaffed. Mr. Gloster hopes to get 500 conversions under way. When it appeared before the health committee yesterday, Fórsa stated that the 2023 spend would have funded 1,865 therapy posts, 2,354 medical secretary posts or 1,334 psychology posts. Most people will be concerned by this, given how many people looking for assistance are on waiting lists and the number of people who are not getting full-time permanent jobs.

As has already been said, when many people get into the system, it is fantastic and they could not ask for better. Is it an area of concern if unions like Fórsa are coming out and saying the HSE has €80 million? We would like to see people being hired to keep staff within the sector. What is Mr. Gloster's view?