Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank both gentlemen again for raising this important topic. The Government remains committed to providing continued investment in the health workforce, including public health nurses. I take on board the suggestions relating to capacity, recruitment and the Dublin allowance. There is also that piece about how we maybe have lots of staff who are willing to be in the HSE and public health and there are areas like Dublin, including the Deputies' constituencies, where they are thinner on the ground.

The 27 WTE posts were provided for in budget 2025 and the Department of Health has requested that the HSE expedite these posts to areas where child health developmental assessments are impacted. Several short-term, temporary solutions to prioritise resources and services provision in line with clinical needs have been undertaken in areas most affected by the high vacancy rates. In 2024, to attract more nurses to specialise as public health nurses, it was provided that existing staff nurses who wish to enter the public health nurse sponsorship programme could remain on the existing point of their current salary. As of November 2024, 86.6% of all three- to nine-month child development assessments were completed in time and before them reaching their 12-month old milestone. I acknowledge the concerns raised tonight and that the Deputies are raising them on behalf of their constituents. I acknowledge the suggestions they have both brought to the table with regard to how to address it.

See this speech in context