Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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297. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider granting a nominal retention bonus to nurses, midwives and healthcare workers who have worked throughout Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43715/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Both I and my Department recognise that our dedicated health care workers play a key role in our national effort against Covid-19. Their determination and commitment to assisting our sick and vulnerable to get the medical treatment they need, has and continues to be, very much appreciated.

Others across the public and private sectors also deserve to be commended for their efforts in combatting the pandemic. Negotiations are currently underway regarding a successor agreement to the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020. It should be noted that the pursuit of cost increasing pay claims are specifically excluded under the terms of the PSSA. This means that any bonus including additional pay is not permitted under the PSSA.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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299. To ask the Minister for Health if he will increase the number of medical interns in 2020 in response to Covid-19 and to encourage more graduates to stay in Ireland to train as doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43723/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, there was an urgent need to expand the healthcare workforce. This was done through a variety of measures, including the increase of the number of medical interns. 734 medical intern posts are traditionally available in Ireland each year. Due to the exceptional circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, 992 medical intern places were made available for the 2020/2021 intake.

Through the Winter Plan and National Service Plan for 2021, there is a comprehensive resourcing strategy to permanently expand the health service workforce by 15,838 whole-time equivalents. There is a variety of recruitment strategies and campaigns planned. Currently, it is not envisioned that additional medical interns will be required, but this option remains open to the Health Service Executive should they require it.

Naturally I would encourage more medical graduates to stay in Ireland, and to continue their training here. The significant increase in intern numbers put in place in 2020 was a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis. For July 2021, it is considered likely that there will be available a sufficient number of Basic Specialist Training (BST) posts to accommodate the additional doctors (subject to their suitability), who will be completing their internships in that month, and who will wish to apply directly to a BST programme. I hope that these doctors will stay and train in Ireland, and contribute to the forthcoming exciting opportunities in the Irish health system, as it develops in line with the Sláintecare reform programme.