Leo Varadkar has responded to calls for student nurses to be paid by saying the Government is 'examining' the subject.
The Taoiseach recognised that it's an issue and said Health Minister Simon Harris will have some proposals regarding it soon.
Although final year student nurses in Ireland receive pay, those in their early years of study do not, even when carrying out clinical tasks.
Many student nurses are risking their own health by battling Covid-19 on the frontline.
And speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Mr Varadkar said: "On the issue of student nurses, pre-registered fourth year student nurses are paid.
"And indeed we agreed a pay increase for them not too long ago.
"But students who are in their earlier years aren't paid but we are examining that as an issue.
"And I know the Minister for Health is going to have some proposals on that.
"But the tradition is that medical students don't get paid. Nurses do get paid in their final year, their pre-reg year, and indeed they have had pay increases in recent times.
"But we are looking at that issue student nurses more generally, particularly when if they're carrying out clinical tasks where they're not just learning they're contributing the workforce so that is something that is under examination."
So far, 26% of those who have contracted Covid-19 in Ireland have been healthcare workers.
There are now 1,329 confirmed cases of the bug in the Republic of Ireland. That figure will be updated on Wednesday evening.
