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

Mr. Woods knows it will probably take 12 months to recruit this essential front-line consultant. The post has not been advertised despite the fact that the consultant in question handed in his notice in September. It is hard to believe that this matter is being treated with any degree of urgency. That anything has been done may have more to do with media coverage than anything else. That is wholly unacceptable. Children's Health Ireland has known since September. It is in receipt of heavy duty correspondence from consultants who, as Mr. Woods will know, do not often write letters and are often reluctant to get involved in these matters. Nearly three months have elapsed without an advertisement for the vacant post being placed. Parents are probably following this meeting online because some of them contacted me to say they knew it was taking place this morning. This information will not fill them with any confidence. I respectfully suggest that the Minister inject some urgency into this process because it does not appear that much has been done in the past couple of months to address this urgent matter.