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

If the Deputy reads the conclusion of the submission to which the Deputy is referring, it says: "Equipping the public health service with the required nursing and midwifery workforce is undoubtedly a substantial challenge". The text to which the Deputy refers, which went to the Public Service Pay Commission on behalf of the employer, acknowledged the challenges we face. It went on to state the challenges here "[c]ollectively ... represent some of the greatest challenges faced by our health services nursery and midwifery workforce". It did acknowledge that there were challenges in this area. It made the point, however, that these challenges are not generalised in nature and are concentrated in particular hospitals and particular disciplines. It placed that in the context of our being successful in recruiting more nurses and midwives. We have turnover levels that are comparable with the rest of our public service.

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