Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her presence and I ask her to refer all that is relayed and discussed in this Commencement matter to the Minister, Deputy Harris, for response. Sarcoma Ireland first met the Minister, Deputy Harris, in the first week of July. A commitment was given at that meeting to the group that a specialist sarcoma consultant would be recruited to St. Vincent's University Hospital to look after the serious illnesses faced by those who suffer from sarcomas. In the intervening period there has been much toing and froing between the Minister's office, St. Vincent's University Hospital and the national cancer control programme. In essence, a commitment was given but it looks as if it has not been followed through. I acknowledge and welcome members of Sarcoma Ireland, who came here at last-minute notice, to the Public Gallery. I hope they will have more success through this Commencement matter in getting answers from the Department and the Minister, who has ceased communicating with them despite their numerous attempts to do so. They have not even received acknowledgements.

The following questions have been put to the Minister in writing. I now put them to the Minister of State for a response and ask her to bring them again to the Minister's attention. Why does the job description contain no mention of experience in treating sarcoma patients or a requirement to be engaged actively in research in this area? Why has a separate medical area of neuroendocrine tumours been mentioned in the job description? This is not related to sarcoma. Who is on the interview panels? There is no need to name names. The roles will suffice. Do they include an independent international expert on sarcoma who can access candidates competently? Why has the position not been advertised publicly? The position has appeared only on St. Vincent's internal human resources system and not publicly on websites frequently used by St. Vincent's as well as the HSE and other hospitals. Lastly, will St. Vincent's provide an assurance that 80% of the workload of the sarcoma specialist will be dedicated to sarcoma patients?

In essence, there was an agreement on 6 July for a new oncology post with expertise in sarcoma. The advertisement is completely watered down and does not give confidence that the post is that sought and agreed by these patients and the Minister. Sarcoma patients are extremely ill people. They ask simply that they be provided with the most experienced sarcoma specialist available. They do not believe that the current position advertised will meet their needs. The recruitment process is fundamentally flawed. We implore St. Vincent's hospital to re-advertise the role together with more specific candidate requirements, that is, a stronger emphasis on sarcoma and experience and interest in the research on it and a requirement that 80% of the oncologist's time will be spent treating sarcoma patients.

Again, I thank the members of Sarcoma Ireland who have fought for months to get the services they deserve. They cannot wait for more indecision on this matter. The closing date for applications for the post is this Friday, and even at that it could be at least four months before the consultant is in situ. Will the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, confirm this? We got the promise months ago, and now it looks as if it could be at least four months before someone is in situgiven the prolonged interview and employment process. Lastly, will the Minister of State provide to me in writing the timescale involved in the interviewing, recruiting and posting as a consultant for this role and written confirmation of how this will be implemented? I would very much appreciate that.