Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
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1449. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the number of nurses from the Philippines has been reduced due to the fact Ireland did not apply for an exemption from 5,000 to 10,000 nurses for Ireland given that the UK and Germany have been approved for the larger amount and that this is a matter of urgency as the Philippines may close off this source of nurses due to their own local needs. [33383/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important matter.

In early 2020, as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic the government of the Philippines introduced a ban on healthcare workers leaving the country. This ban was lifted in November 2020, but a limit was placed on the number allowed to leave the Philippines to ensure that enough healthcare workers would remain at home to help in the fight against the pandemic. This amount was initially set at 5,000 in respect of healthcare workers. We understand from the Department of Foreign Affairs that this has been recently increased to 6,500.

It should be noted that the process for applying for an exemption is challenging and requires complex negotiation. Ireland does not have an embassy in the Philippines at present but is in the process of opening one in Manila, it is hoped that this will be in place later in the year.

Officials from my Department are currently liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs who are monitoring the situation. Officials are also seeking clarity from the HSE regarding the extent of the impact of this cap on workforce planning in our health service. When we have further information on the matter a decision will be taken regarding what next steps are required.