Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have funded enterprise centres throughout the country as well. For some parts, there may be an research and development element. It is a matter for particular areas as to whether they want to go down that road. The regional enterprise development fund has supported a number of centres that could facilitate research and development. There is another area we can capitalise on, namely, ehealth. As the Deputy and I know, many people will wait some time for a hospital appointment with a consultant and when they get to that appointment the consultant might not even lift a stethoscope or examine them; he or she will just look at them and talk to them. There is no reason those same people cannot attend an ehealth hub within their community for such an appointment. I visited such a hub in Scotstown, County Monaghan two weeks ago. Everything is in place such that the doctor can engage remotely with the patient and decide at that point whether there is need for an in-person appointment. Much of that consultation is a conversation. There is no reason we cannot do that remotely as well.

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