Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I have been contacted by constituents who are concerned about the delivery of services in my area. One particular area of concern is that of disability services in terms of specialty, in respect of which there has always been a lopsided distribution of specialist staff, based either on discipline or geography. Getting information regarding disability services for young children even by way of a telephone call is seriously problematic in my area, never mind delivery of services. I would welcome a national audit of disability services delivery. It is not justifiable that one particular county can have a service while another does not.

My second question relates to maternity care, in respect of which the master of the Rotunda expressed concern prior to the deadline of 29 February. Is the Minister satisfied that maternity care can be safely delivered in this country with the current number of staff?

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