Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, we had a meeting in the north west, CHO 1, with the HSE. There were a lot of Members there from across the counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. One of the points that came through it more than anything else was staffing shortages. I raised podiatry services in County Leitrim. The issue is that many elderly people, in particular those with diabetes, have to travel to Sligo for this service.

This is because there is currently no service in Leitrim because there is nobody there to provide a service. The HSE told us it was trying to recruit somebody but the issue was the embargo on recruitment. It stated it had sought a derogation from the Government to allow it to recruit. A similar plea was made for Donegal where, I understand, a similar situation has arisen with podiatry services in Letterkenny. In the absence of dispensing with the embargo, which is what I want the Taoiseach to do, can the Government at least ensure a derogation is put in place so that vital services can be provided to people? This will keep people out of hospital, off the waiting lists and away from hospital corridors. Where possible, we need to ensure that staff can be recruited. They need to be recruited. I ask the Minister of State to ensure those embargoes are dispensed with.

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