Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I accept there has been much talk but little action on primary care over the past 11 years. More decisions have been taken on developing primary care over the past year than during the previous decade. I am pleased to say that the budget includes a special allocation of €20 million for primary care, which will enable us to recruit the equivalent of 300 posts over the coming weeks. That money will be prioritised for the filling of key front line primary care posts, including public health and community nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. I have also put in place a system which will allow us to identify gaps in front-line services. There are considerable gaps in primary care posts across the country. I look forward to the recruitment of these posts over the coming weeks and months. That will greatly strengthen primary care, which is what should have been done a long time ago.

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