Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Everyone who works in our health service puts themselves at risk of contracting Covid because of their work, as do many people beyond it. It is not just nurses but also doctors, cleaners, caterers and anyone working in a hospital, including therapists. Many people who do not work in hospitals do so as well, such as people who work in retail and transport. We need to acknowledge that many people are more at risk than those who can work from home because they deal with other people. That is not just the case for nurses. Thankfully, while many healthcare workers in Ireland have contracted Covid, the number who have died as a consequence is very low relative to other countries.

As the Deputy noted, student nurses are paid in their pre-registration year in recognition of the fact that, unlike other students, they do work that would not otherwise be done and would have to be paid for. It is unusual for students in the public sector to receive payment. Negotiations are under way. I cannot give the Deputy an update on them right now but they are under way and hopefully they will come to a conclusion. It is best that they are conducted between the Government and the union rather than being played out here.

See this speech in context