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

The Department of Health signed up to the Safe Staffing Framework, a data-driven, evidence-based system which can pinpoint the staffing levels needed to provide safe staffing in every hospital ward in the State. Cork University Hospital is one of the State's flagship hospitals, yet, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, only four of the 21 wards at that hospital meet Safe Staffing Framework guidelines. How can the Taoiseach defend the fact that more than 80% of the wards at one of the State's flagship hospitals are operating at unsafe staffing levels? The INMO has commenced balloting for industrial action at the hospital's coronary care unit. What steps does the Taoiseach intend to take to address its concerns to avoid the possibility of industrial action and to ensure safe staffing levels at Cork University Hospital?

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