Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the presence in the Public Gallery of the general secretary and president of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. They are very welcome. Mar atá ráite ag mo chomhgleacaithe, is ceist ríthábhachtach í an cheist atá os comhair an Tí. Without repeating the valuable contributions of my colleagues, it is important to convey to the House the importance and gravity of this motion. I commend Deputy Louise O'Reilly, the sponsor of the motion, who has shown herself to have a deep understanding of and a clear commitment and consistent dedication to the issue of nursing pay, recruitment and retention and the effects they have on the health service.

The question, "Who would want to be a nurse?" is often asked, perhaps in jest, when nursing is being discussed. Such is the challenge in the workplace and facing the nursing workforce. This rhetorical question has even be used as the title for a research paper examining the impact such workplace stressors have on recruiting and retaining nursing talent in the health system. It is a remark that recognises the undeniable truth that those working in the nursing profession are among the most dedicated, hardworking and caring people to be found anywhere.

In ainneoin é seo, thig linn comparáid a dhéanamh idir ár gcuid ospidéal agus an limistéar cubhaidh de bharr an t-anord atá iontu. Bíonn altraí ag streachailt achan lá chun aire a thabhairt do na hothair. Tá brú mór millteanach orthu agus iad ag obair i rannóga éigeandála agus bardaí ospidéil nach bhfuil acmhainní ar fáil acu.

Given their resolve and dedication, it is hardly surprising that Irish nurses and midwives are in high demand globally. With such attractive remuneration and significantly improved working conditions on offer elsewhere, how can we compete in attracting and retaining nursing talent? The evidence shows that we are not competing. Government enforced recruitment embargoes and wage cuts, coupled with underinvestment, have decimated front-line health services and driven nurses to flee our hospitals in their droves. Agus tá na himpleachtaí dár seirbhísí sláinte le sonrú gan amhras. Tá an córas uilig ag titim as a chéile.

My colleague referred to the impact in his constituency. In County Donegal alone, staffing shortages have been solely to blame for the closure of 41 beds in the community setting since 2015, with all the knock-on consequences this has for services, patients and staff working elsewhere in the health service. It is against this backdrop that I back the motion and call on other Deputies to do so. By supporting this motion, we will show to nurses and midwives that the State values them as individuals and professionals whose invaluable work and selfless contribution to the health service we cannot forego.

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