Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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This is heavily disputed. That is why we need to see the facts of the matter. The other point you made on efficiency and so on was to fully utilise the expensive equipment we have. There are many issues around that. I want to raise specifically the issue of radiation therapists. I have raised this umpteen times by way of parliamentary questions. It is claimed by SIPTU in particular that the number of radiation therapists is 30% below what is needed across the five public radiotherapy centres. As a result of this staff shortage, four of those important machines are closed and three CT scanners are not in use. That just does not make any sense whatsoever. I have raised this. There is a need for additional radiation therapists. In order for them to start training in Trinity and have clinical placements within the service, there is a need for additional tutors. That is the key to unlocking this logjam. Will you address that issue, please, so that we can have additional therapists, use all the equipment that is there, and stop spending additional money on outsourcing services? There is €10 million being spent on outsourcing radiotherapy services.