Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

What we have heard this morning from the INMO is by no means new. Its representatives were before the committee some weeks ago and told us the same story. There is a lack of bed capacity and a lack of staff. Since then, many of us have raised these issues with the Minister for Health. To be frank, there has been little indication that the scale of the problem has been recognised. These issues have not arisen only in the past few weeks; the INMO has been raising the issue of the lack of capacity in the public health service for years, as have many of us. Covid has exposed the significant weaknesses and inadequacies in our public health service. One has to ask when Government is going to get serious about implementing a public health service that meets the needs of the population.

On an issue members have raised with the Minister, since the witnesses were last before the committee, has the INMO had any further contact from the Department, the Minister or the HSE with regard to the pressing issues of the 500 consultant vacancies and the need for additional rapid-build temporary capacity until such time as we have the capacity that was promised? Has there been any contact at any level or any indication that the INMO and the rest of us are being heard? Are there any grounds for hope that these issues will be addressed soon?