Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

We have been discussing putting cancer programmes in place. Unfortunately, in Kildare and west Wicklow it will be necessary to put an occupational therapy programme in place, if one takes account of the letter I received from the HSE. It states:

I am writing in response to your letter to our general Manager, Mr. Billy Quinn. As you are aware the Senior Occupational Therapist assigned to the District Care Unit in the Athy area, has been on maternity leave as of 14 9.07 and is not due to return until 6.5.08.

Under normal circumstances we would have received approval to fill her position with a temporary Occupational Therapist. Unfortunately due to the overspend by the HSE, a staff moratorium was put in place as of September 4th. We were told at that time we were not allowed to fill any previously approved new posts or replace any vacant/maternity leave posts.

On October 5th we were informed that we could make individual representations to replace vacant posts through a new derogation process. We immediately did this for the above post, and for two more upcoming maternity leave posts covering the Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip areas. After much follow-up by us about these posts we have been told that only one post, covering the Celbridge area, has been approved for replacement.

As Managers of the Occupational Therapy Services for Kildare/ W. Wicklow, we are acutely aware of the devastating effect this is having on clients referred to our services and the huge stress that is being placed on our understaffed Therapists.

With our present inadequate staffing levels, we simply are unable to provide a service where posts have been made vacant. Also, due to the staffing crisis placed on our service through the moratorium, our Union has informed our Therapists that they are not to take on the roles and responsibilities of positions affected by the HSE actions.

We sincerely hope this staff moratorium can be removed as soon as possible so that we can provide a fair and equitable service to all our clients.

This letter is from the occupational therapist manager. The basic issue is that there are four areas in Kildare. The first, second and third areas each made an application for a therapist, but the applications were turned down. The HSE decided to provide an occupational therapist for the fourth area, the last to make an application.

We have discussed and debated the HSE for a number of weeks but still we see occurrences such as this. Everybody agrees that maternity leave is essential and must be granted. However, there must also be a built-in service available for those in need of it. I sent my letter because a man suffered a major tumour on his brain and needed immediate occupational therapy. It was not forthcoming and will not be forthcoming because a therapist will not be available in Athy until August 2008. The HSE spent more than €20,000 on an agency to determine if top staff in the HSE should get bonuses. In Kildare, however, there is no service for the basic needs of the community. Children and senior adults need this service but it is not available.

One can see the frustration, annoyance and torment of the staff reflected in the letter, which is dated 19 November last. One seldom gets such a reply, an honest endeavour to have the matter raised in public so something can be done about the scheme. There are three positions and only one is filled. It is impossible for people in the Kildare and west Wicklow area to get occupational therapy until next August.

I plead with the Minister. Last night, I said there must be responsibility for resolving such problems. We see them every day. Every Deputy in the House, from the Taoiseach down, encounters this type of problem. I can honestly say I have never been as angry about anything as I am about this situation. The staff are crying out for assistance in trying to secure extra staff for the service. The problem is affecting the existing staff, with attempts being made to give them extra workloads. I ask the Minister to get the HSE to reconsider this matter. People in my community are suffering because of it.

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