Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

More than 75% of 1,500 nurses who will become registered nurses this month will be forced to emigrate in search of permanent work. A permanent recruitment pause in place since 20 July 2012 has made it virtually impossible for new graduates to find employment in the health service. The moratorium on the filling of permanent posts in the health service has seen a reduction since 2008 in nursing posts from 39,000 to 34,300. In recent weeks the provision of primary care centres has been in the news and in particular the announcement of the 35 new centres. I ask if the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, whichever is the most relevant Department, will come to the House to discuss the plans for the hiring of additional primary care staff, given the increase in the number of new centres from 20 to 35. We must ensure that the best primary care service is available. The lack of sufficient staffing levels in the primary care centres means they would become white elephant projects and would be of little benefit to the communities in which they are located. Highly qualified and skilled personnel are available. I ask if we can find out how these new primary care centres will be staffed and if those who are forced to leave can be retained to work in them.

Senator Darragh O'Brien and other Senators spoke about the leaked report on the proposals for changes in child benefit. When will the Minister bring that report to the Cabinet and the Houses of the Oireachtas? More important, when will the House discuss that report in detail with the Minister rather than under the heading of general statements or being included in a broad-ranging debate?

Instead of leaving it as media fodder, we in this House, as public representatives, must have an opportunity to discuss it.