Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Healthcare staff have done Trojan work since Covid first hit and their contribution can never be quantified. The entire country owes them a debt of gratitude. Their hard work and dedication got us through this crisis and they continue to carry out that work in exceptionally difficult circumstances. Levels of burnout and exhaustion are at an all-time high as healthcare workers face into another long, hard winter. Public hospitals are under enormous pressure, with personnel working in conditions of staff shortages, long working hours and low morale.

Working conditions were difficult in the public health service long before this crisis. Underinvestment in the healthcare system has meant overcrowding, waiting lists and enormous workloads for many years. There has been inaction on waiting lists, which are at their worst-ever levels, with 900,000 people waiting for treatment. When the CEO of the HSE appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts some weeks ago, I asked him what the chances were of that figure reaching 1 million by Christmas or shortly thereafter. He could not say it would not happen. This is an appalling legacy after ten years of Fine Gael in government, with Fianna Fáil propping it up previously and now working with it in government.

There is also inaction on workplace disputes, including pay, access to personal protective equipment, PPE, proper air hygiene in the workplace, long working hours and understaffing. Every day, we hear about the difficulties for nurses. I sometimes wonder whether members of the Government ever stop to think about the work our healthcare staff have done and continue to do. Does the Minister ever stop for a moment and consider that he is in a position to put this right by standing by the workers who have looked after us right through the pandemic and continue to do so under enormous pressure? Does he never say to himself that he will move mountains to give those staff, including nurses, student nurses and midwives, the fair pay allowance they deserve? Does he never once resolve to do all that is necessary to relieve the pressure they are under? I can only imagine that if Deputy Cullinane were in the Minister's chair, he would start at it straight away and we would not have staff having to leave busy shifts and come up to Leinster House to picket and beg for a fair pay allowance. It is a disgrace.

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