As consistently outlined by the INMO, there is a critical recruitment and retention problem within the Irish health system. Since 2007, the shortage of nurses and midwives has been exacerbated by moratoriums on recruitment and cost-saving measures imposed to reduce the workforce.

It is essential that nurses and midwives are now made exempt from the HSE's baseless recruitment freeze.

We need measures to keep nurses and midwives here in Ireland:

• Provide defined clinical and managerial career opportunities for nurses and midwives.
• Provide accessible ongoing continuing education and professional development opportunities.
• Ensure decision-making around recruitment is devolved to the Directors of Nursing and Midwifery.
• Reduce the bureaucracies experienced in the recruitment process.
• Support all grades of nurses and midwives.
• Provide flexible working options.
• Strategies to provide suitable options for older nurses to retain expertise, knowledge, and skills