Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I accept that Letterkenny University Hospital currently provides clinics for patients with neurological conditions but it urgently requires a dedicated outpatient neurology service provided by a consultant neurologist. This is not the first time I have raised this issue with the Minister. He previously informed me the review of the neurology services in the north west was under way. The difference is that the review was supposed to have been completed by now. The last time the Minister told me about the review, it was supposed to be completed in quarter 2 of 2024 but now it is to be completed in quarter 3. All of this time, people in my county are being denied this service. According to the information the Minister gave me previously, the review should have been completed by now. He has just told me it will now be another three months, possibly four months, and maybe it will slip a little further.

The Department was informed of the issues with neurology services a long time ago. I believe the Minister sat on his hands. People have to travel to Sligo for treatment and, for many people, that is a significant distance. It is a 300 km journey for people who should have services provided more locally to them. Why has the review slipped? Why is there new information now that puts this review back further? Has the Minister asked why the review has not been completed at this stage?

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