The Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) has claimed that the country could be bereft of Irish nurses in 10 years' time, if current staffing policies continue.
In its pre-budget submission, the group said that 11,000 Irish-trained nurses have left in the past seven years.
Speaking this afternoon, INO General Secretary Liam Doran said that higher pay, increased allowances and the option of a sabbatical are all needed to keep nurses in Ireland.