Brian Stanley (Laois, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to page 63 of the programme for Government, which pledges to "Implement the new procedures to ensure more efficient and timely recruitment of" staff in health services. I raise the matter in the light of the ongoing uncertainty about the future of emergency services at Portlaoise hospital. When the Minister for Health met me, Deputy Fleming and the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, in December 2017, he committed to begin a public consultation on the future of those services.

That was 15 months ago. The facilitator has not been appointed yet according to the most recent replies to the Minister. When will we see the facilitator recruited? The uncertainty about the future of the hospital is also causing difficulty with the recruitment of staff. When will the facilitator be appointed and when will the consultation process in Portlaoise begin?

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