Tipp TD Critical of “Be On Call For Ireland” Initiative

TD Mattie McGrath speaking in the Dáil

A local TD says the ‘Be on call for Ireland’ initiative has shown up more government ineptitude.

Tipperary’s Mattie McGrath and the Rural Independents say only 321 people were recruited out of 73,300 who signed up – despite hospitals being decimated by persistent staff shortages.

Speaking to Tipp FM News, Deputy McGrath says he can’t understand why more of those willing haven’t been hired:

“This is a slap in the face for every frontline worker in every hospital who were under severe pressure ever before the pandemic, who were crying out for supports.

“We see non-emergency cases being delayed, hospital outpatient appointments being stopped because of a lack of staff. This is an awful insult to those people, and it’s also a betrayal by the Government and the HSE.”