Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his welcome and wish all Members well on my first visit to this beautiful Chamber. In my capacity as Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for horticulture, forestry, food safety and the greyhound industry, I have sent a letter to all Members, either physically or via e-mail, containing my contact telephone number. As far as I am concerned, I am there on behalf of everyone and it is not my office but theirs. They should not be afraid to make use of it as I have staff there who will help them out. This was done for me when I was in Opposition and it was of great help. Consequently, I urge Members to avail of the forthcoming telephone number.

I can see that Senator Fidelma Healy Eames is passionate about this issue and I have listened to what she has had to say. I will read out the reply on behalf of the Minister and will bring any supplementary questions to his attention, as I would be foolish to take on the task of attempting to answer them.

I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy James Reilly. I thank the Senator for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to this House the importance attached by the Minister to the issue raised. Community health doctors are an integral part of the overall health services provided by the HSE. The main services provided include child protection services, which include involvement in child protection teams, co-ordination of the medical needs of children in long-term care and medical assessment of children where child abuse has been alleged. Child and adolescent health services include developmental examination for seven to nine month old infants, child health clinics, school health services and medical audiology clinics. Community health immunisation services include neonatal BCG vaccination programmes and school vaccination programmes to children in primary schools. Services for older people include co-ordination of medical services for the elderly and involvement in cases of elder abuse. Services for persons with disability include medical assessment for disability allowances and involvement in the assessment of need process for children aged up to five, all under the Disability Act 2004. Social inclusion services include targeted community health medical services for socially marginalised groups.

The recruitment of staff in the health services is subject to the Employment Control Framework 2011-2014. That framework is required to maintain tight control on the cost of providing public services while protecting front-line services as far as possible. There are 184 community medical officers employed by the HSE. This equates to an average of 4.2 per local health office area. The latest data available from the HSE indicate there are nine community medical officers in the Galway local health office, which is the third highest number in the country. I am satisfied, therefore, that there are sufficient resources to ensure essential child health needs are addressed. The HSE is reviewing its community medical services. This review is nearing completion and is expected to be positive about the future direction of the service with regard to children.