THE nurses' dispute was raised by two Government members yesterday and comparisons were drawn between their pay and conditions and those of teachers.
Both Mr Sean Maloney (Labour) and Mr Shane Ross (FG) expressed support for nurses who are voting on the latest proposals from the Minister for Health Mr Noonan. The nursing associations and unions have recommended the offer be rejected.
On the order of business Mr Ross called for the Ministers for Health, Finance and Education to explain to the House "why nurses are being told there is only £20 million for them at a time when teachers are being offered £65 million".
Mr Ross said he believed one of the main reasons was that "so many members of the Oireachtas are teachers".
In a motion on the adjournment, Mr Maloney called for extra funding for Letterkenny General Hospital which would be used to provide extra nursing staff. Mr Maloney described the "crazy situation" which existed in the hospital, particularly around Christmas.
"There were patients in beds in the corridors while wards were closed and empty. This put a huge strain on the minimal number of nurses. They were working under conditions which were impossible and extremely stressful".
Mr Maloney said that as a former nurse, he was well aware that the package on the table from the Minister, outlined last week, was simply not enough".
In 1986 the hospital in Letterkenny had a budget of £8.3 million. In 1994, that figure was £16.9 million. Mr Maloney wanted to know where the extra money was spent. It certainly was not used to recruit more nursing staff, he said.