Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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98. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the progress being made to fill the vacancy of clinical specialist sonographer in ultrasound at the Louth County Hospital; if the position will remain based at the Louth County Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63422/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the HSE that a Clinical Specialist Radiographer vacancy has arisen in Louth County Hospital. A recruitment process to fill this vacancy is underway. The closing date for receiving applications is 30 November 2025.

The HSE has assured me that while recruitment is ongoing there will be no disruption to patient care or service delivery. All clinical services continue to operate as normal, ensuring that patients and service users experience no change in access, quality, or continuity of care.

The HSE confirms that this post will be primarily based in Louth County Hospital with integrated managerial and clinical governance through Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda.

I understand that enhanced governance arrangements are being implemented for this position. These are designed to strengthen oversight, improve coordination, and ensure clearer lines of accountability across both hospitals.

There has been extensive investment in both hospitals in recent years with a general uplift in resources, staffing and funding at both hospitals.

This Government is committed to building on these significant investments and improvements made at both sites. This is demonstrated by the 39% increase in the budget for Louth County Hospital since 2020. In 2025, the budget was over €31 million, an increase from €23 million in 2020.