Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the context of the Cabinet committee on health, as we move into the next phase of Covid-19, has the Taoiseach discussed the future role of the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, and what shape and size it will be going forward?

I know the Taoiseach in his previous ministerial role did a huge amount of work in the area of strokes and stroke care. He may have seen this morning the audit of strokes in Ireland, which is a really interesting piece of work highlighting the challenges facing stroke treatment. Will that be discussed at the Cabinet committee on health to ensure that we improve our responses?

Over the weekend, concerns were expressed by Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, representatives and other organisations about the need to attract specialists into our regional hospitals, in particular, specialist consultants. It is becoming increasingly challenging to get consultants to take up positions in regional hospitals. There is no sense in us piling into the city hospitals when we have really good regional hospitals and health infrastructure regionally. I ask that a focus be given in terms of enhancing packages to attract people.

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