Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Ferris will have to find different language to describe this issue because the word "disgrace" should not be used in this context. While I agree that people living in an exposed and isolated area deserve the same type of health service as everyone else in the community, the issue the Deputies raise is not the result of a deliberate action. Given the difficulty being experienced in recruiting nurses in large towns and cities, recruiting a nurse for an isolated area, as beautiful as Inishturk may be, clearly will present a difficulty.

The delivery of a sustainable community nursing service which effectively meets the health needs of the population in a primary care setting is the principal aim of the Health Service Executive's public health nursing service. The nursing post on Inishturk Island became vacant recently when the island's nurse retired. The HSE has advised that there are no service or budget reduction elements relating to this issue. Finding a suitably qualified candidate who wanted to live and work on Inishturk was a significant challenge. A nurse has been recruited to take up the position and the successful candidate is undergoing pre-employment checks. As part of this process, the appointed nurse must obtain occupational health clearances. As soon as these have been completed, the nurse will be in a position to take up the appointment.

No one, including the two Deputies opposite, would suggest that a person, however qualified, should be allowed to work in a community without pre-employment checks first being carried out. While waiting on the new nurse to take up her position, residents have been advised to contact their general practitioner directly if they have any health issues. I am sure they will have done this as a matter of course.

I will check the position regarding the weekly visits the Deputies indicated had been promised. The HSE is conscious of the need to provide appropriate health services for island communities. In this regard, it has committed in its 2015 operational plan to conduct a review of primary care island services, with a completion timeframe of the second quarter of 2015. Plans are in train to develop terms of reference and to establish a working group to proceed with this.

With transport and communications improving, I hope people will move to more isolated islands and residents will have more children. This will require a different response. I am conscious of the issues that arise and thank the Deputies for raising the matter. The news concerning a nurse for Inishturk Island is good. That a nurse has not beenin situ before now was not intentional.

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