Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I will get that note for the Deputy and there will be no problem with it. I have not seen the HSE response but I am familiar with the language of "permanent workforce". My understanding is that that is the language for differentiating from the seconded workforce. It would not be making sense because we hope that as soon as possible this will not be needed .

I fully agree with the point on existing services. I have not seen the reply but there is not an intent that this would diminish what are already overstretched community services.

We are looking at telephone triage. It is something that the GPs themselves are nervous about. They believe that there is a clinical benefit that should remain for the GPs to do the triage. The HSE is also looking for a clinically-staffed national line as well.