I raise with the Minister the urgent need for an immediate intervention to avoid an imminent serious disruption to Caredoc services over the Christmas and new year periods, particularly in Wexford and the south-east region. Up to as recently as 2022, Caradoc’s doctors were paid as public servants. However, since then, Caredoc nurses have missed out on 14 pay rises between public sector and sector 39 pay rises. For example, a Caredoc nurse covering night shift gets 25% less pay than nurses in district hospitals, community hospitals or general hospitals. I ask the Government, through the HSE, to address this pay disparity issue, as was done for the section 39 sector in recent agreements.

Caredoc across the country is critically important, particularly at weekends and out of hours. I will raise that matter directly with the Minister for Health on the Deputy's behalf. I will ask the Minister to respond directly to him about the situation he has articulated here as it pertains to Wexford.