Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State of her comprehensive response. I welcome the fact that staffing levels have increased. However, for quite some time there was a limited number of staff and that has created a fear factor among people who have the condition. As I said it is a serious condition but once managed, people can have a good quality of life. It is most welcome that staffing levels have increased in recent times. It is totally unacceptable for people to have to wait eight years for an appointment. I welcome the fact that a second consultant has been appointed. It sounds as though an assistant is due to start. That is most welcome. Staff nurses and nurse specialists are covering other areas as well. The clinic is not run every day of the week.People do not have the confidence, because it was not being run every day of the week, and getting an appointment was driving them to other centres of excellence. While the endocrinologist that is there is excellent, getting an appointment is the biggest problem, because of all the other clinics the endocrinologist has to cover. It is welcome but there is much more to be done. I look forward to the figures coming because there are certain areas where there is a shortage and if staff were there, it would give people with this condition much more confidence to attend the clinics. The shortage of staff was the problem all along so I thank the Minister of State.