Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak on behalf of student healthcare nurses. We need to listen and respond when we hear words such as "discouraged", "dismay", "anger" and "injustice" coming from any group within our healthcare system. Student nurses have long felt that they have been taken for granted and exploited for the work they carry out in hospitals across the health service. These feelings are mounting. The student nurses and midwives of Ireland are taking to the front line in the battle against Covid. In doing so, they are risking themselves and the health of their family members. They are not paid for a job which carries great responsibility. To compound their grievance, they are still being asked to pay college fees of €3,500 per year. These students say they feel forgotten and disrespected by the Government and they are pleading to have their voices heard and to get proper financial recognition. While nursing is considered to be a labour of love, this, unfortunately, will not pay the bills. Could we make progress in the context of financial recognition for this group of people?

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