Manus Boyle (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to address the issue of occupational therapists. It has been brought to my attention that there are many vacant OT positions in Donegal. There are a number of areas in the county with no OT arranged for them. These areas are Bruckless, Killybegs, Ardara, Glenties, Portnoo, Kilcar, Carrick and Glen. At the moment, only priority one clients are being seen. Priority two clients remain on a waiting list. The role of an OT is to assess people, keep them in their own homes and support them to remain independent. Patients are now not being seen, which is increasing the rate of hospital admissions for patients. Some 461 people are on a waiting list in Donegal. This figure covers Donegal town, Killybegs, Ardara, Glenties and Dungloe. The office in Killybegs has been vacant since April 2022. The morale of staff in the county is at a low ebb because they are covering two, three, four or five patients more than they should be. They are trying to keep everybody happy. It is a very unfair system and it is not right for the patients or the staff. I would like the Leader to try to find out from the Minister where this stands at the moment. Having 461 patients on a waiting list in Donegal is certainly not good enough. I would like some clarification on this matter.