Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are many commitments in the programme for Government on the health service, particularly in terms of additional recruitment of nurses. As the Taoiseach knows, the INMO has decided to ballot on industrial action. What I want to bring to the Taoiseach's attention is that one of the key issues facing our hospitals is the fact there are more than 1,000 vacancies in terms of nurses and midwives, which is an extraordinary number. After the latest recruitment drive by the HSE to address these vacancies only 85 positions were filled. This is an incredible outcome and will impact on our ability to deal with waiting lists, waiting times and the quality of care. The vacancies are in key areas such as intensive care, paediatrics and theatre nurses, where the turnover is significant. In short, there is a manpower issue in terms of nursing. There is an overreliance on agency nursing. With regard to the commitment in the programme for Government, how does the Taoiseach intend to address this core issue of 1,000 vacancies on the front line?

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