Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Notwithstanding the fact that, over the past three years, there are more than 20,000 new whole-time equivalents working in the HSE, there are recruitment challenges across several sectors. It is posing a particular challenge for the public health nurse service. There is a considerable nursing vacancy rate across west Dublin. When the recruitment freeze was announced, any posts that had already been offered and any posts for which the offer had been made and Garda vetting was under way will still go ahead, just to let the Deputy know that. In response to the staff shortages, the public health nurse service is triaging all referrals to ensure a safe service is provided to those with the greatest clinical need in the community.

It is disappointing and frustrating that these staff shortages persist. The Department of Health has been previously assured by the HSE that every effort is being made to address the recruitment challenges in the short term, including ongoing recruitment campaigns. It is expected the HSE community nursing national oversight group will propose recommendations later this year that aim to address some of the longer term issues regarding the recruitment and retention of public health nurses and community registered general nurses. As I said, the public health nurses are the most important cog in the community, whether it is a new baby, an older person or a child with additional needs. It is a service that is very effective and relevant. I will discuss this with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, later and will ask him again to engage on it with the HSE. It is not the first the Deputy has raised this, I have heard him raise it before. It is very important that people can access the service regardless of where they live.

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