Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question and for his public service in agreeing to go back to the front line, though we hope there is no surge. Before I address the Be On Call For Ireland initiative, I should point out that we are hiring people in other ways. More than 4,000 student nurses have now been given offers of paid employment as healthcare assistants, which will be a huge help to those on the front line. The Deputy rightly notes that around 70,000 people filled out forms as part of the Be On Call For Ireland initiative. When we worked our way through them, approximately 27,000 were identified as having relevant work experience. Further online screening significantly reduced that number. We are currently focusing on doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, domestic staff, cleaners, porters, dentists, dental nurses and dental hygienists, and we are adding new categories as directed. As interviews do not give a reliable indication of hire potential, we are instead reporting on those who are in the clearance process. These are the candidates who have engaged with the selection process, who are interested in work and, subject to Garda vetting and a reference check, will be employed. I will provide the Deputy with a table showing the breakdown of those grades.

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