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

The Deputy asked about Be On Call for Ireland. As I mentioned earlier, that was something we launched last March. I launched it as Taoiseach with the Minister for Health at the time, Deputy Harris. We had a significant level of interest in it but it did not turn out to be what we thought it would be because we found that a significant number of people were not available. Some were not resident in the State. Some were already working within the health service and we did not want to redeploy them from areas where they were already working. Others did not have the appropriate qualifications. I will seek an update on that from the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, as things may have changed since I last looked into that issue.

I will do the same in respect of work visas. That matter has not yet been brought to my attention in person. Neither the HSE nor the Minister for Health have said to me that it is an issue. It may well have arisen in written questions but no one has raised it with me in person until now. I will certainly look into that to see if there is something we can do. It is important to point out that working visas need to be processed properly. Ultimately, we have an obligation and duty to the public to ensure people are safe and that those who receive work visas and permits are who they say they are and have the qualifications they say they have. It cannot simply be done overnight although perhaps it can be done more quickly.

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