Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

Update on Sláintecare

Ms Laura Magahy:

First, I wish to reassure the Deputy that we are on the case in respect of elective hospitals and want to get the work done quickly. The goal is to have sites selected. We are aware of what is happening in Cork and have had submissions and discussions in this regard. The issue is finding the optimal location and the fastest way to get the work done, not just for Cork but also for Galway and Dublin, and to make sure the hospitals are sized correctly. We know about the sites but we want to make sure they have the right size, and that is the exercise we are completing at the moment. We can certainly update the Deputy in writing.

On the issue of community healthcare, I will make two observations. First of all, there is a significant boost in terms of community workers in the budget. There is a total of €425 million there for enhanced community and social care services.

Deputy Colm Burke's point about public health nurses is well made and they will be included in the configuration of that.

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