Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I genuinely believe the Minister read out the figures as they have been presented to him. There is no question about that. At the monthly meeting this afternoon, to which he referred at a meeting of the joint committee, I respectfully suggest that he clarify whether four doctors left in the six weeks in the run-up to the beginning of November. What is the current financial outlay on the use of locums? This information will enable us to get to the bottom of this because the figures in the public domain are vastly different and there is a real need at this point to establish the facts in this case. I am in no way insinuating that the Minister has not given us the facts as presented to him. Questions need to be answered here, however. If there is an issue with doctors leaving the Defence Forces to go to the Prison Service or any other issues, a specific plan of action needs to be put in place. It is unfair to new recruits to the Defence Forces and those who currently serve in terms of the continuity of care.

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