Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We all understand there are problems in the health service, particularly with the recruitment of staff for hospitals across all departments. I want to impress on Deputy O'Sullivan and others in the Chamber that both the Minister, Deputy Harris, and I believe that those working in the services in hospitals across Dublin do a fantastic job. Sometimes they find themselves pushed and can work under a great deal of pressure with several cases at once, particularly in units as important as oncology day wards. Living very close to St. James's Hospital, I understand the situation there.

The Minister wants to assure Deputy O'Sullivan that he will continue to monitor what is happening in the Mater Hospital and will work to address recruitment issues in the short and long term and carry out measures which will improve the situation as we go into next year. I assure the Deputy that the HSE recognises the need to focus on recruitment and retention of front-line staff and is committed to making a public health service a more attractive place to work. I understand Deputy O'Sullivan's frustration, it is something that I am contacted about daily in my own office, and I will continue to raise it with the Minister on the Deputy's behalf.

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