Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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42. To ask the Minister for Health the way the current staffing situation at Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, is being addressed; if his attention has been drawn to serious shortfalls in resources and staffing capability; the long-term investment plan for the hospital in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2389/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has advised that Naas General Hospital has agreed staffing levels to cover the entire hospital. When the hospital experiences surges in activity, additional staff are sourced to meet that demand. Naas General Hospital has approval to appoint 27 staff nurses and is currently in the process of appointing 10 temporary nurses. Interviews are being held next week to fill the remaining 17 posts on a temporary basis pending the permanent appointment of these posts.

Any future investment at Naas General Hospital must be considered within the overall acute hospital sector infrastructure programme, within the overall capital envelope available to the health service and in the context of the establishment of hospital groups. In 2015, there will be a structured integration of the Naas General Hospital into the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and this will provide further support for Naas General Hospital in delivering high-quality, safe patient care in a cost-effective manner.