Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

That is the exact same reply that was given to another Deputy a couple of months ago. The question I asked has not been answered. I ask the Minister to expand on whether we have a real problem this year, which is unique, because there will be no nurse graduates coming on stream. What precisely will be done about this? Why is she not aware that just one in four nurses from last year got permanent posts? I am amazed that the data are not included in her answer. Does she accept it is very cost ineffective to be so reliant on overtime and agency nurses? Is she aware that it is currently much more attractive for a young nurse to become an agency nurse? There is no incentive to become permanent, which is very expensive and not cost effective.

Does the Tánaiste accept that the shortage of hundreds of nurses has a particular impact in the Dublin region and that some of the problems that arise can be sourced back to the shortage of nurses in the Dublin region? Is she aware that as far back as 2001 the DATs management report indicated that there should be special arrangements, such as Dublin weighting or acuity payment, to deal with the problem?

See this speech in context