Nursing is arguably the most dangerous job in the country in this pandemic. Around 50 nurses a day have to stop work because they have either contracted Covid or are a close contact of someone who has. More than 3,000 student nurses have done placement work in our hospitals in the last few months. If someone studies nursing in college, Covid risk is on the curriculum. The Tánaiste said in response to Deputy Kelly that paying students does not tend to be the practice across the public sector. However, it also does not tend to be the practice across the public sector for people doing placement work to have anywhere near the level of risk our student nurses face. Despite this, they go to work in our hospitals to be paid precisely €0. This has to end. Some of them receive an allowance but it is a pitiable allowance of €50 a week or €7 a day and those who receive it are in a small minority. I understand that the Department is currently in negotiations with the INMO on the student pay issue. Can the Tánaiste give the House an update on the progress of these talks and some indication as to when they might be concluded?

Everyone who works in our health service puts themselves at risk of contracting Covid because of their work, as do many people beyond it. It is not just nurses but also doctors, cleaners, caterers and anyone working in a hospital, including therapists. Many people who do not work in hospitals do so as well, such as people who work in retail and transport. We need to acknowledge that many people are more at risk than those who can work from home because they deal with other people. That is not just the case for nurses. Thankfully, while many healthcare workers in Ireland have contracted Covid, the number who have died as a consequence is very low relative to other countries.

As the Deputy noted, student nurses are paid in their pre-registration year in recognition of the fact that, unlike other students, they do work that would not otherwise be done and would have to be paid for. It is unusual for students in the public sector to receive payment. Negotiations are under way. I cannot give the Deputy an update on them right now but they are under way and hopefully they will come to a conclusion. It is best that they are conducted between the Government and the union rather than being played out here.