Mr. Pat Bennett:

I absolutely agree that art therapy is important and significant. It is provided on an ad hocbasis in a number of areas, where it has made significant improvements. It is a medium through which people can feel very comfortable communicating.

In 2017, the agency cost was €7.8 million for CHO 8. That points to the significant challenge that exists. We listened to all the hearings last week on recruitment challenges, particularly on the medical and nursing sides. I refer to significant money for ourselves because we are paying one third more than what we would be paying our own staff. There are significant costs involved here. That is a major issue.

On the primary care centres, there has been good progress. In some areas we are waiting for planning permission or for the developments to be completed. We sometimes have to lease premises, which is not ideal. The idea behind the primary care services is to improve the integration of services and the linkages with general practitioners and the other services. Again, however, there is a significant move in respect of a number of centres, including that in Tullamore, which should be ready in the first quarter of next year. I can give members an updated paper on the development of the primary care centres right across the CHO. I will be happy to do so after this meeting.

On the suicide nurses or scan nurses, there are two in our area who link with the general practitioners and the primary care centres. They also link with the hospitals. Can Ms McArdle elaborate on the scan nurses?