Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

I will speak about the State's 400 student radiographers. Our student radiographers spend four years in college. Over the course of those four years, they spend approximately 200 days working in our hospitals for free. They have been doing difficult and dangerous work in the pandemic. They do direct Covid-related work, for example, the taking of X-rays. Not only are they not paid, they do not receive sick pay if, for example, they are infected. They do not receive paid leave. They have in many cases had to give up part-time jobs in order to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. They can be asked to work in any hospital anywhere in the State. Sometimes there is a small travel and accommodation allowance but in all cases it is significantly less than the costs that accrue. Does the Minister agree that our student radiographers do valuable work? Does he agree there has been an injustice done to them? Through their union, SIPTU, they have asked for direct talks with the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. Is that something the Minister present would support? Would he be prepared to attend such a meeting were it to be set up?

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