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

Once we have decided to do it, the request will go into the national recruitment service in Manorhamilton. It will then be put on an order of priority. There clearly are priority lists and lesser priorities. As soon as one becomes available and a suitable candidate identified, there should be no blockage other than whether the person can take up the post. There are all sorts of variables. The only thing we can control is whether there are sufficient funds available and I am told by the HSE that there are.

The other area relates to specialist nurses and physiotherapists within the community based teams. These are hugely important because most people now get their palliative care or end-of-life care within a community setting. I take the Deputy's point on the expense of an acute hospital bed, but these are only used when looking to stabilise the person and to get the medication and the process right. Usually most people go on to live within their own communities. The situation is managed in that way.

Why is the midlands getting less than other areas? Who knows? Perhaps it is because the teams are not fully developed. Perhaps it is because there is no inpatient unit. There could be a multiplicity of reasons. I do not have the answer in front of me. If the Deputy, however, were to put table a question, I am sure that if an answer is available we will do everything to get it to the Deputy.

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