Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am hearing the right vibes from the Minister but now we want to see the action to back it up. On his previous visits to Portlaoise hospital the Minister heard loud and clear from the clinicians and GPs that we need a plan for the future. I acknowledge that the Minister came down to meet these people. Certainty is needed for recruitment. Will the Minister confirm the announcement made by the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to the local Fine Gael councillors on 25 March? Councillors said they had been informed by the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, that five new consultant posts would be filled. Perhaps the Minister will confirm that this is going to happen. This was announced to the councillors on the morning of 25 March. They said they had confirmation from the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, that the five consultant posts would be advertised and that there is a lot of interest in those posts.

I welcome that if it happening, but I would like the Minister to confirm it for me. I am hearing the right message from the Minister but we want to see action. We want to see a timeline for that consultation to begin and be completed. We also want a timeline for a plan for the future to further build the services in Portlaoise.

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