Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's comments are reasonably fair, except that perhaps they miss out on one point. For the first time we are now beginning to map out the actual requirements in each of the new regional health organisations. As the Deputy is aware, we will be setting up the six new regions to slim down the HSE nationally and to devolve more to the regions in line with the Sláintecare report. That does mean a mapping exercise, and one not based on the buildings but on the population health needs. In Deputy O'Reilly's regional health area, the question is how many people are required to fill positions in speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and public health nursing to meet the needs of the community in a timely fashion. That exercise is already under way. The 1,000 additional staff we will hire in the community will comprise the first tranche of that significant investment.

It is fair criticism to say that we have invested a lot in buildings and now we need to catch up in terms of investment in people. Usually, every budget day we get asked how many extra nurses and doctors we have hired in hospitals. I do not suggest that is not important, but this year is the first year that we have put forward a budget that has a very significant increase in the number of staff that are going to work in the community.

On the issue of directly employed GPs, I agree it has happened in some areas but I accept not many. I visited one area in the north inner city where directly employed GPs are providing a service that was never previously provided. That option remains open to the HSE in any area.

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