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

I will, of course, take back the urgency of the issue to the Department and I have a particular interest in this area as Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities. I absolutely understand the urgency and importance of the issue and I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister and the HSE.

There is an issue with recruitment and retention right across therapies. I have encountered a similar problem in speech and language therapy. We had a budget of €100 million. We have allocated €63 million of that and we are trying to slide in the next €37 million between now and Christmas. It has been difficult. There has also been one resignation in the Laois-Offaly area.

I take the Deputy's point that we need to focus on this issue and take on board the urgency of it and increase capacity. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, accepts that the situation in Laois-Offaly is far from satisfactory. Officials from the Department will continue to work with our counterparts in the HSE, exploring all opportunities to address the level of services in the Laois-Offaly area.

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