Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Focusing again on this important motion, it is important that we see action from the Government. We need to see the framework underpinned by legislation and expanded across all health and social services. That is what the INMO has called for.

I am also concerned that support staff - SIPTU is clear on this in its presentation - only get 25% of the financial supports afforded to allied health professionals. That is a real problem for the support staff - the healthcare assistants, HCAs, and the porters. Indeed, I know people first hand who have quit working in UHL to take positions, for example, as a bus driver, because they simply could not cope with the level of misery, including these issues of assaults and threats on an almost daily basis. It is an issue that has to be tackled clearly.

Of course, we also need to remember the security staff. The security staff are being outsourced and they have no recourse if they are assaulted. My call there is clear. We should in-source all security staff at all hospitals.