My Budget/nurse: The Irish Nursing Organisation (INO) claims that more than 9,000 Irish nurses have left the Republic during the past six years. Staff nurse Naomi Nicholl (27) believes that the way to stop this mass exodus is to properly recognise the status of nurses.

"Nursing is a profession, with a full degree course and years of intensive training, yet a newly qualified staff nurse earns considerably less (approximately €5,000) than other comparable workers in the health services who don't have the same qualifications," she says.

"I often find a condescending attitude from people towards nursing as a profession and I think that is reflected in our bad pay conditions, which are driving Irish nurses away. They can earn a lot more in England or Australia.

"I'd like to see allowances for unsociable hours for a start and a shorter working week," Naomi says.

A chronic shortage of staff is damaging the Republic's health service, she believes.

"We need more nurses on the front line. It's not the fault of the hospitals or An Bord Altranais [ the nursing board], because they have to stick by their allocation.

"It's not only emigration that is the problem. There are thousands of registered nurses in this country who aren't working because there are no posts or because the pay conditions are too bad.

"Plus, I think sometimes people can feel that their opportunities for promotion are limited.

"I'd like to see a more structured system where people could see the openings available to them."

In the short term, Naomi believes simple staff numbers are the most important issue.

"The Government needs to increase the allocation of nursing posts to match demand. Start at the front line and work your way to the back, to the wards, care attendants and support staff, where they are needed."

Naomi also criticises the slow implementation of the Government's strategy for health.

"Things seem to have slowed down and they need to get moving on their own plan.

"Thousands of euro are being spent on HR sourcing nurses from outside the EU. Health services are travelling the world looking for staff while Irish nurses continue to leave the country. How does that make any sense?"

The Estimates provide for an increase in health spending of €915 million, or 9 per cent, to just less than €11 billion, and point to an increase of 6,500 nurses since 1997.

Naomi agrees with the INO that this just isn't enough - and the popular image of trolleys in hospital corridors and a health service bursting at the seams would appear to back up their claims.

"Ultimately, nurses want to provide the highest quality of care and this is compromised under the current conditions," she says.