Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise to agree with the national neurology strategy and that we need an extra 100 neurology nurses. On Tuesday, 16 April 2019, in this Chamber I raised the issue of neurology services in regard to University Hospital Limerick as it awaited the recruitment of three or four specialist neurology nurses. On that occasion I was told such appointments were part of the national clinical programme for neurology, and that there was going to be a model of care that would be prioritised by the Government for the next five years. On that occasion, I called for one nurse to be appointed even though there was a recommendation that three nurses be appointed. At the moment, there is a report that shows there is a shortage of eight nurses. The University Hospital Limerick specialises in neurology in the mid-west region and it is quite frightening to learn that there is a shortage of eight nurses.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health to the House to debate this matter. Neurology services are not just a local issue but a national one. Such shortages have created waiting lists as well. The provision of specialist nurses would alleviate the problem because more people could be seen. Plus investing in the recruitment of neurological nurses is cost efficient.