Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree 100% with the Deputy. I was answering her specific question on how one matter she raised does not fall under the remit of my Department. That is not in any way shirking the broader issue.

I want to assure the Deputy that one of the roles my Department is playing is engaging with the workforce planning sections of other relevant Departments. For example, we are in discussions with the Department of Health about whether we can provide more training places for nurses and doctors, what it needs to do regarding placements and what we need to do regarding college places. In the area of disability, the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, is carrying out a disability capacity review. One of the big findings of that will concern whether we are serious about reducing waiting lists. It is not just about money, although that is a part of it; it is also about making sure we have and are training enough professionals.

My Department is available as a resource to any Department, agency or sector of our society in terms of what we can do to help to make sure we have enough graduates coming out of college. One other example is the work we are with doing the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to make sure we have more social workers for Tusla and the like. We are providing that function. I will take the matter up with the Department of Health.

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