Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief because we had a Commencement debate yesterday on issues concerning UHL. I compliment the Senators who tabled the motion. It is something I firmly believe in. I have had a number of Commencement debates on this subject over the past few years, especially on the shortage in UHL. While I acknowledge that two nurses were taken on in the past two years, there is still a shortage of 11.I was involved in MS Ireland for a number of years as a volunteer and still have an association with it. From speaking to people there and to people with debilitating health issues, I know having enough neurological nurses would help to curb the amount of time some of them need to spend in hospital. Phoning a neurological nurse can solve their issues or give them the advice needed. I welcome what the Department is doing on waiting lists, which is an enormous issue. The provision of these nurses needs to become a priority for the Department, not just in University Hospital Limerick and the mid-west, but nationally. We face a crisis in many hospitals with people on trolleys, people on waiting lists and people having to go in because their issue cannot be dealt with elsewhere. Having more neurological nurses would certainly help to reduce the waiting lists and also the amount of time people spend in hospital.

I firmly support the motion and welcome the debate we have had this evening. I thank the Minister of State for coming. I ask him to emphasise to the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and the Department that these 100 nurses need to be provided sooner rather than later.