Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This issue concerns podiatry services and I am sure the Minister of State is aware there was much concern about the availability of podiatry services and posts in various hospitals across the State, especially promised positions and posts that have not been filled. I raised in particular the case of Cavan general hospital and the HSE issued a response at 5 p.m. yesterday in this regard. It confirmed that a podiatrist had been recruited and commenced employment in the Cavan hospital but the post holder subsequently resigned. The HSE is commencing a process of recruitment to fill the post.

The Cavan-Monaghan hospital group has advised that there is an interim contingency plan to ensure that a podiatrist is providing care to patients who have been prioritised and require urgent attention. As the focus of this matter has shifted, I will highlight the background to the request for the matter, particularly the contingency plan that will be in place until the post is filled in Cavan hospital. There seems to be much uncertainty, particularly with regard to patients with diabetes, who have a concern about the filling of those positions not only in Cavan but across the State.

The HSE promised it would provide 16 whole-time equivalent podiatrists in 2010 across Ireland to screen for foot disease and deal with at-risk feet. The national diabetes programme set a target of 30 April 2012 for the recruitment and appointment of podiatrists. Figures from November indicate that six of the 16 posts are officially deemed to be filled by the HSE, and there is concern that the recruitment embargo was affecting the filling of these positions. Will the Minister of State clarify why the posts have not been filled? There is concern, particularly among patients with diabetes who are trying to avail of this care. There is a high incidence of amputations in the past couple of years, with 2,539 people with diabetes having lower limb amputations between 2005 and 2011. Therefore, the availability of podiatrists is important.

We received the two-line response from the HSE yesterday evening. Will the Minister of State confirm that the position promised is subject to an ongoing recruitment process? A podiatrist had been appointed but resigned. What is the contingency plan to service the Cavan hospital, which must service both Cavan and Monaghan?