Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask one further question on the comment from Mr. Reid about the appointment of 82 assistant directors of public health nursing. That was in his statement earlier. I have the figures for public health nurses. In December 2014 there were 1,450 and in October 2021 there were 1,543. We are now literally going to appoint 82 assistant directors, which is one for every new nurse appointed in six years. Of all the areas of healthcare there is a 27% increase, for example, of doctors, nurses and management, across all systems in the HSE, except public health nursing, which has only increased by 4% in six years. To give an example from Cork city, an elderly gentleman, 80 years of age, was discharged from hospital more than six weeks ago and requires ongoing care. However, a public health nurse has still not called to him. In fairness to her, she is out sick, but there is no one there to step into her shoes. How can Mr. Reid justify appointing 82 assistant directors when we have appointed no additional public health nurses in six years?