Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I express my wholehearted support for this Bill and commend Senator Annie Hoey and the Labour Party on their dedication and commitment to honouring the student nurses who have so bravely worked on the front line from the beginning of this pandemic without any promise of pay. It is hard to believe we do not have legislation already in place to ensure student nurses and midwives are paid when they are working. This is a simple but essential Bill.

Student nurses and midwives have been thrown in at the deep end. They have worked tirelessly, as part of the front-line workforce, since the beginning of the pandemic. They have faced all of the fears and risks that any other member of the front-line services has faced, and continue to do so, without a guarantee of payment. We must ensure, through this legislation, that student nurses are no longer exploited. Student nurses have been used as full-time staff with no say in where they are placed and are worked at maximum effort but have received nothing in return. They have been exposed to the serious risk of contracting the virus in order to work on the front line. It is shameful that it has taken us this long, nearly a year after this started, to ensure that student nurses and midwives receive, at a minimum, the same rate as healthcare assistants. They certainly deserve that.

There are 4,500 student nurses working more than 36 hours a week. Since the beginning of 2021, we have seen the worst of the pandemic. I can only imagine how stressful that must be and the toll it is having on student nurses, particularly on their mental health. I have no doubt it is frightening. It is important to note that it is not only during this pandemic that student nurses have played a vital role in the healthcare system. For years, student nurses and midwives have worked numerous hours without pay. It is upsetting that it takes a global health emergency to realise that this is simply not right.Anyway, it is high time we paid our student nurses and midwives and had this enshrined in law. I believe any refusal to do so at this stage would be simply shameful and wrong. Now more than ever, I find myself reflecting on the bravery of the front-line staff and how selfless and brilliant they all are. We are really lucky to have a dedicated front-line staff. I know from my work on the committee, which Senator Hoey is on as well, that the challenges faced by front-line workers are at an all-time high, as I am sure the Minister is well aware. Two weeks ago the health committee heard from witnesses working on the front line who presented some of the problems they are facing as a result of their work. Their mental health in particular is really suffering and their energy is really low. Many are contracting the virus and after a year of battle, the general consensus is that they are completely and utterly exhausted. It is paramount, therefore, that we honour their work and the fight they continue to fight in order that we can enjoy our health.

I also wish to take this opportunity to commend the work of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, which last November launched an online petition that gained 20,000 signatures within two days and now has over 75,000 signatures. The petition was a clear example of the public solidarity when it comes to supporting student nurses and midwives. These student nurses and midwives are the future of our healthcare system and are at the beginning of their vocation. I just cannot imagine the emotional burden and strain each of them must feel stepping into this new arena during these unprecedented times. Some of them are living with elderly family members, all of whom are at risk of contracting Covid. We simply cannot allow these health workers to go on without any pay. It is just unacceptable.

I wish to highlight the case of Áine, who is a fourth-year student nurse. It is amazing that she says, "not to sound cheesy about it", it is a really great honour to serve our country during this time. However, she has many friends who have contracted Covid. That is not an uncommon story. She says so many of them are very much at risk and are working in an environment that is unsafe. It is therefore more important now than ever to reward financially these workers for the valiant work they are doing to keep each of us safe by putting their health on the line. Again, I work with Senator Hoey on the health committee and the mental health committee and I know how passionate she is on this issue. I have to commend her on the phenomenal work she has done. She has done a fantastic online campaign on this as well, so credit where credit is due. I hope we can ensure that the work of all student nurses and midwives is both valued and paid.