Chairman:

I am also on the list to speak but I am sure the next two members will not mind if I jump in here. I have a couple of questions. We have often spoken about how psychiatry is a specialised service, so who is providing that service at primary care level? That is the first question. The witnesses have proposed many simple proposals to the HSE, I presume, and have come up with some very simple answers. Why will the HSE not take up these simple proposals from the people who know what they are talking about? That is the second question. I only need brief answers to these questions. Why is it that some applicants cannot be taken on? What is preventing some applicants being taken on? How many graduate every year from the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland? The witnesses said only 50% of them stay in Ireland but I would like to have the exact number.

I refer to recruitment. We heard from previous witnesses that there is a panel of people. The witnesses mentioned the HSE but the previous witnesses did not mention it. They mentioned some other panel that is responsible for the recruitment. It is done at national level. Someone may want to go to Donegal but they are here hanging around in Dublin before they get there. What is the problem there? Why is it like that and what can be done about that?

I thank Deputies Carey and Buckley for giving me the time to ask those questions. I would be grateful if those questions were answered.