Brave student nurses battling Covid-19 should be paid for their dedicated work, a TD has said.
Kerry Deputy Norma Foley told how many student nurses on work placements at hospitals nationwide are working full hours - despite all colleges closing.
And these students, who are helping to combat the killer virus, have fears that they will not be able to pay their rent and bills.
The Fianna Fail TD said: "Medical staff across the country are working extremely hard and under pressurised situations during the on-going Covid-19 crisis.
"However, several student nurses have not had their placements suspended and are now working on the front line of this crisis.
“Student placements in other disciplines in third level colleges have been suspended but this is not the case for many trainee nurses.
“They are working in difficult situations without any pay and many have concerns about how they will pay their rents and bills. These trainees deserve to be paid like all other nurses during the Covid-19 period."
Ms Foley added: “Medical staff on the front line are doing extraordinary work in hospitals across the country and they are to be commended for their dedication.
"I am calling for funding to be made available to pay trainee nurses who are currently on placements in hospitals.
"I have written to the Minister for Health to raise the matter. They deserve to be able to focus on the job at hand and compensated for their exceptional contribution to the current crisis."
