The Minister for Health has ruled out the prospect of subsidised housing for healthcare workers struggling to secure or retain accommodation.
It follows calls from the Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation for the Housing Minister to consider the idea - particularly for new builds.
The union is concerned the accommodation shortage could lead to further delays in the opening of the new National Children's Hospital - given the scarcity of housing in Dublin 8.
Minister Donnelly says the solution to housing for nurses and doctors is the same as the solution for everyone else.
"There are no plans for that at this time. What the Government is focussed on is continuing to build new houses, affordable houses, social houses, owner occupier houses at record levels.
"The solution to housing for nursing is the same solution for everyone else - we need more housing."
