Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I disagree with the Deputy because we have approved one position and the case has been made for four new additional positions. I will push the case, and so will the HSE, to get funding because it is very important.

The total staffing complement for adult and paediatric services is between 8.1 and 6.1, clinically availablein situ, excluding maternity leave, sick leave and recent resignations. The two resignations took effect on 31 March 2017. That happens in life and that is a problem we have. It is a reality. The second reality, which is not mentioned in the response, and which I have many concerns about is that many OTs emigrated during the financial crash and went to other European countries and England.

We are trying to encourage them to come home. One resignation was in the social care area. As I mentioned, this position has been for the backfill and is going through the recruitment process.

It is also important to remind people that there are service locations and that the Meath occupational therapist services are delivered from five network bases. They are: network 1 - Navan and surrounding areas; network 2 - Kells and Kingscourt; network 3 - Trim and Summerhill; network 4 - Dunshaughlin, Ashbourne, Dunboyne and Ratoath; and network 5 - Laytown and Duleek.

In terms of investment in occupational therapy services, the last investment in primary care services was in 2013 when 52.5 posts were approved. In addition, under the progressing disabilities services for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years programme, 64.5 occupational therapy posts were approved in 2014. We have to rebuild and invest in services.

A service improvement initiative has been established for the national occupational therapy service to review the existing model of care and develop new models that will be standardised across CHOs to improve waiting times. I will, of course, make this a priority issue when talking to the HSE.

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