Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses for their attendance and contributions. I will begin with an area about which I am concerned, which relates to radiation therapists. My understanding is that there is now a shortfall of up to 40% in the number of radiation therapists we require. I also understand that at any one time, 45 people are coming through training in the country, with 30 in Trinity College Dublin and 15 postgraduate people from University College Cork, UCC. What immediate action will be taken? I understand four machines are lying idle that cannot be operated because we do not have the staff. What action is being taken to deal with this issue to retain the staff we have, to get in new staff and to expand the training programme?