David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister might submit that to me or email me the full response. That is useful.

We have to be more proactive and energetic in engaging with health and social care professional graduates and medical graduates when they are graduating. We should have HSE officials working with them in their final years. That would be really important. A job guarantee for all professionals would be important. All of this is in the context of the crisis in hospitals.

The Minister will be aware that today there is a call from some healthcare trade unions and advocate groups that more needs to be done in terms of public health restrictions. Can I ask what is the current position in relation to public health measures, for example, mandatory mask wearing? I signalled I would ask the Minister this question because it is important for him to update this House on what advice he has received from the Chief Medical Officer, CMO. Will the Minister and the CMO attend the next meeting of the emergency department task force? The Joint Committee on Health has asked for a briefing from the CMO. My understanding is, as of today, that still has not been arranged. It is important that we hear what the message is.

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