David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We will have to wait and see exactly what is in the memo the Minister brings to Cabinet. The reality is there have been three meetings between the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the HSE. This is an industrial relations issue, and yet that healthcare trade union and those student nurses and midwives outside the Dáil had to read in a newspaper what may or may not be in the memo. I ask the Tánaiste directly whether there will be engagement with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation on precisely what is in the memo.

The Tánaiste has outlined what might be in place for first, second and third years. It is unacceptable. This is an emergency pandemic payment of €100 which many of them said fell far short. There is no sense this will be permanent. There is no sense any permanent solution is being put in place for first, second and third years.

I do not believe the Tánaiste gets it. If he were outside today, like many of us were, speaking to those student nurses and midwives they are telling us directly, and it does not give me any pleasure to say this, that they do not feel valued and that the first chance they get they will be gone. Let us avoid them going. Let us treat them fairly and with respect.

Will the Tánaiste also explain when the recognition payment that was promised for those on the front line and in healthcare will be paid? We heard about it before the budget and during the budget. There was a lot of talk about this exceptional payment for those on the front line in healthcare. We have heard nothing since.

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