Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Health if he will request the Health Service Executive to immediately seek cover for the State's paediatric rheumatologist while on maternity leave (details supplied); and if he will also request a report from the HSE on the reason provision was not made for such cover in the first instance. [31754/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that the Health Service Executive has identified Paediatric Rheumatology as a priority service for children's health services and has approved the recruitment of a new Paediatric Rheumatology Consultant for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin.

The Paediatric Consultant post already in place in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, will shortly fall vacant due to maternity leave. A locum position was recently advertised but unfortunately there were no applicants for the post. The hospital is currently in discussion with the Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, to identify the level of support they can provide to ensure continued service delivery. I can assure the Deputy that the Health Service Executive will continue its efforts to ensure that this important service can be maintained.