Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On recruitment, between October 2013 and October 2018, the number of nurses and midwives has increased by 10%, or 3,300 full-time equivalents. Since 2011 alone, 10,000 new entrants have joined as nurses and midwives. Significant recruitment has taken place in both those areas in recent years. At this point having negotiated an agreement in good faith with all our public and civil servants, it is not tenable for the Government to make additional money available to one sector but not to another. The reality is that were such a development to happen, it would trigger a set of competing claims that would make it very difficult for any government to manage its public pay bill.

I reiterate my appreciation of the work our nurses and midwives do, but I emphasise that we have a wage agreement and recommendations from the Public Service Pay Commission that I am willing to implement next year.

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