Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all of that. Indeed, it is good news for Australia, America or wherever these bright young men and women will end up. The simple fact is they do not want to work in the health service as it is currently constituted. They are not only saying that to me. They are voting with their feet and they are leaving. For example, 22 nurses were trained as part of a co-operation between CUH and UCC. These were 22 highly specialised nurses trained in paediatrics and general nursing - absolutely top quality, top notch front-line professionals - and all 22 of them have left. That is a damning indictment of the efforts that have been made to date.

Deputy Kelleher mentioned the Sláintecare report. We all are hopeful of positive news from Government in that regard but we will not be able to do it without the staff. I am not convinced that enough is being done.

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