Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have two simple questions. One relates to the 1,800 additional staff announced in the budget. Given the failure thus far to reach any of the targets which were set - the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, said recently there were only 13 additional staff - do the Minister and HSE have another plan? It is to be hoped that if so it is not just a restatement of whatever is currently being done because clearly that is not working. I would like to know where the staff are coming from and what the recruitment plans are.

My second question concerns children with scoliosis. There are 68 children with complex medical needs, whom we have discussed. Can the Minister and HSE confirm that agreements have been signed with the two additional hospitals in Germany and England and that there is a plan? I do not believe any of the 68 children have been assessed as yet by the hospitals with which the agreements have been signed. I do not think they will be treated by Christmas, although I hope they will. Perhaps the Minister and HSE could comment.