Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. The only thing about that figure - she said there was 87% staffing and only 13% vacancy - is that if you take off the 32 staff members who are out sick, on maternity leave or off work for whatever reason, it means the figure is down to a 75% staffing level, which means there is a 25% vacancy rate. If a person goes on maternity leave, is out sick or is out of work for whatever reason, that post still needs to be covered. If it is not, then the children who need the therapies that staff member gives are not getting them. It is very important we do not manipulate the figures here. I am not suggesting the Minister of State is doing that by any means but the Department is supplying her with figures. The figure she gave was 308 and with 234 - someone will have to check my maths - that is a 75% occupancy rate of staff. I am saying if people are on maternity leave or whatever kind of leave, there must be replacement staff for them and the other staff need to be recruited as soon as possible.

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