Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

These people are in an unusual position in that they do not have the State pension either. They are not like Bord na Móna workers or county council workers, for example, who have the State pension and superannuation. These workers find themselves in a situation in which this is the only income they have. They are really vulnerable. Thank you for that, Deputy. We will reply to the management of CIÉ and put those points to them.

The next item is No. 2204 B, from Ray Mitchell, assistant national director, the Health Service Executive. It is dated 31 October 2023 and provides information we requested regarding the staffing deficit in each of the community healthcare organisation, CHO, areas. It is proposed to note and publish this item. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I have flagged this item. I do not know if other members want to comment on it. They will see the staffing deficits in it. From the information that is provided in the graphs, tables and so on that the HSE has supplied, if I am looking at it correctly, table 3 outlines the gap to staff ceilings in CHOs. In CHO 8, which encompasses the midlands area, it looks like there is a 40% gap in community care; in medical and dental care there is a 10% gap; in nursing and midwifery there is a 30% gap, which is concerning; and in health and social care professions there is a 31% gap. The one I am taken aback by is management and administration, where there is plus 34. It appears from this, then, that management and administration have more than what they need. Maybe that is not the case, but that is what the HSE has presented here. General support is up 11 as regards the requirement. I might ask the HSE to clarify those points and give a breakdown. CHO 8 was of particular interest to me, particularly because of the dental care situation. Child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, is another one where there are shortfalls in staff. This correspondence seems to indicate that there are significant shortfalls across the board, but we will ask for an explanation or a breakdown of the figures for CHO 8 if the committee is agreeable. We will also ask the HSE to explain why there are 34 management and 11 general support staff in addition. There may be a very good reason for that but I would like to hear it.