Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I very much take on board what Deputies Paudie Coffey and Ciara Conway have said about this matter and the urgency attached to it. The closing date in respect of the third vacant post is tomorrow and the HSE hopes to recruit two consultants under this process. The matter is being addressed as urgently as is required and I accept what the Deputies said. On the future of dermatology services in Waterford, Deputy Paudie Coffey's statement on the physical infrastructure in the dermatology unit in University Hospital Waterford demonstrates the intention on the part of the HSE, the Government and the Minister to maintain these critical services in Waterford. There is no question about the intention to maintain these important and necessary services in Waterford. This is a temporary difficulty in the recruitment of consultants. As I indicated, there are issues about workforce planning, to which Professor MacCraith's report is relevant. I very much hope the recruitment process can be expedited and fully accept and share the Deputies' views.

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