Some 1,000 Indian nurses came to this State at the start of the year on two-year work permits to work in the health services. They work here not as nurses but as healthcare assistants in nursing homes and as home care assistants, overwhelmingly in the private sector. A real injustice is being done to these workers. The basic pay stipulated in the arrangement under which they came here is €27,000 a year. This means they are €3,000 below the threshold that would allow them the chance to bring their families here on visas. They are being asked to do stressful and mentally draining work while separated from their children and families. Moreover, these workers are being asked to do Quality and Qualifications Ireland level 5 training, and pay up to €1,500 to do so, despite the fact their nursing qualifications include not just equivalent training but much more besides.

Will the Tánaiste agree this is a labour exploitation scandal and these workers should be allowed reunite with their families? Will he further agree that the State should recognise their qualifications or, at the very least, cover the cost of the courses the State insists upon?

The work permit system in Ireland is probably one of the more liberal systems across Europe.

Neoliberal.

More than 48,000 came in through the system last year. The Deputies cannot have it both ways. The point is we are creating opportunities for people to work in this country. There are clear issues regarding how we regulate migration to this country and employment in the country. That has always been the case. Over time, families move with workers. Again, a process is there. In a healthcare setting, it is very important we are certain around qualifications of people. The cost issue can certainly be looked at but the idea of mutual recognition is not as simple or straightforward as the Deputy presented.

The cost issue can be-----