Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I acknowledge the enormous challenge Ireland faces in respect of the ongoing war in Ukraine, its impact and the role we have to play to support those people. If it was the other way around, we would be in need and seek the same support.

At the same time, there is no excuse for leaving communities in the way they have been left. I welcome what the Minister of State has said about healthcare. It is the first I have been told of that and I have raised the issue for weeks. It is now six years since a promise was made that a health professional would be placed in the emergency reception area, a former hotel in Ballaghaderreen. Nothing has happened since.

I will keep a close eye on this measure to ensure it is delivered because it is badly needed. There are just two GP clinics in the town, both of which are overrun. It is not fair to put that level of pressure on them when the HSE and Department of Health have a role to play. To date, from what I can see in Ballaghaderreen they have played little or no role. It is important that what has been said here is delivered.

It is also important that we look outside the box. I spoke to RHS Home Care, an organisation I have mentioned to the Minister of State. It is the kind of organisation that thinks outside the box and goes above and beyond in the work it does. It goes beyond home care. I understand from speaking to it today it is about to undertake work to create a needs analysis for the town.

That type of work is exactly what needs to be supported by the Department, namely, community initiatives from community organisations that will make a difference. They need to be supported by the Department because they are on the ground and understand the needs of our communities. I commend them on the work they do.

I welcome what has been said about healthcare. It is probably the biggest issue facing the town and has been for some time. I will keep a close eye on that to make sure it is delivered. I welcome the work that is under way.

See this speech in context