Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The budget for the HSE this year provides for it to take on an extra 16,000 staff. Never, in any one year before, has the HSE had the authority or budget to recruit so many additional staff. I hope that includes the hiring of some of the staff in Wexford mentioned by the Deputy. I will ensure that the HSE is aware that he raised the issue today.

On the issue of assessments of need, the Government acknowledges that these assessments are happening far too slowly. There is provision for additional staffing. There will have to be better organisation procedures as well. We know from bitter experience that additional staff and resources does not always mean shorter waiting lists and better outcomes. I know that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is working very hard on that particular issue. I absolutely agree that the money would be much better spent providing services than on legal fees. However, that is the difficulty once things go legal.

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