Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)

We all understand the importance of workforce planning, nowhere more so than in the area of children, education and health. I heard something concerning last week. It was that pay and numbers are yet to be agreed between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE. TDs like myself come in here every week talking about delays for speech and language therapy and physiotherapy and about the delays inherent in the assessment of need system. If pay and numbers have not been agreed yet or the Department of children has not submitted something to the HSE, I am concerned we will be back here next year with further delays and posts not being filled. It is fundamental we get to the bottom of it immediately.

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