I want to raise a very serious concern coming directly from front-line healthcare staff, particularly our advanced nurse practitioners. There is growing alarm at a proposal within the Department of Health to break the long-established pay link between advanced nurse practitioners, ANPs, and assistant directors of nursing, ADON. This is a link grounded in a Labour Court recommendation and one that recognises the level of responsibility involved. ANPs are highly trained masters-level technicians. They diagnose, prescribe and manage complex patient care every single day. In many areas, especially across rural Ireland, they are absolutely critical to keeping people out of overcrowded emergency departments and helping to reduce waiting lists. Yet, at a time when we desperately need more of these professionals, the Government is considering a move that would devalue the role and discourage experienced nurse from progressing into advanced practice. What kind of signal does this send to the profession? Will the Government now step back from the proposal and commit to protecting an established ANP-ADON pay link, so we can retain and grow this vital workforce?

The Deputy will be glad to know the Minister for Health thinks he is entirely right and, therefore, I do too. I know the Minister spoke to this at the INMO conference because the work being done by the ANPs is as the Deputy describes. It is a key part of the delivery of healthcare. It is keeping people out of our hospitals as well. It is a very valued role in the health service. We have a piece of work under way in the Government across a variety of Departments, liaising with our colleagues in the Department of public expenditure and reform. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, is fully committed to this as are we. We will keep the Deputy updated.