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

I thank the Deputy. We are actively recruiting people for our health service domestically and abroad. Approximately 130,000 or 135,000 people work in our health service, which is more than ever before. There are 81,000 nurses and midwives, which is more than ever before. We have never had more doctors or consultants working on our health service than is the case now. This, of course, comes against a backdrop of a rising population, increasing medical needs and a move towards shorter hours and more part-time work. We are doing everything we can to recruit and we are seeing some success in this regard. With regard to Tipperary specifically, I do not have information but I will follow it up through my office to see whether we can get more information to provide the Deputy.

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