Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In fact, we have committed substantial resources and funding to ensure they will remain open and be supported as much as possible. The Deputy is concerned about the practice in Bansha, on which I will comment. However, there is a reason there is a vacancy there and it is not Government-created. It is, unfortunately, that its GP is on sick leave. That is the genuine reason there is a vacancy and the HSE informs us that it will be advertised. It will become vacant from 17 January 2016, according to the information I have received. The post is being covered by a locum, as I am sure the Deputy is aware, which means that all patients have access to GP services in Bansha.

It is important that is noted here because if one were to listen to the Deputy, one would swear the Government had closed the GP practice and disregarded the needs of the patients. That is not correct.

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