‘Garda causing delays’

GARDA vetting and references checks are behind delays in putting tens of thousands of volunteers to work, the Health Minister has said.

This week the Irish Daily Mail revealed that healthcare workers who signed up to ‘Be on Call for Ireland’ to return to the frontline in fighting the pandemic are on ‘the worst’ possible contracts.

Despite promises by Simon Harris, those who answered the call are being employed by a recruitment company and are not given any sick pay unless it is related to contracting coronavirus. They can also be sacked on a whim, with no recourse under the Unfair Dismissals Act.

More than 70,000 people answered the HSE’s ‘Be On Call For Ireland’ drive. However, latest figures show only 31,000 (41%) of these were suitable. So far just 1,600 applicants have progressed through the process, with 54 having started in their new roles.

Mr Harris yesterday blamed the delays on Garda vetting and reference checks.

Contracts have also been offered to student nurses with 1,000 of the 4,000 final year students signing on the dotted line. Similar positions have been offered to student radiographers.

Intern doctor positions would be offered to 1,100 of this year’s medical graduates.

Usually only 750 are offered to newly qualified doctors but the number was increased by 50% to help cope with the crisis.

Mr Harris also revealed yesterday that it is unlikely any Irish citizens will be able to go abroad on holiday this summer and said the Government would instead be advising people to holiday in Ireland.