341. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health whether, in respect of 2026 general nursing graduates who might have expected to be offered permanent HSE contracts per outlined in HR Memo 013/2026?2, but who have not yet received contracts or confirmed commencement dates, the delay in commencement of employment related to HSE financial pressures, workforce ceilings or a lack of funding from the Department of Health. [66015/26]

As this is a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.