Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 22 together.

I thank Deputies Kenny and Collins for raising this matter. On the back of their questions I engaged with my officials and the HSE on this. As per the questions, they are accepting there are shortages affecting the child development checks in Dublin south and Dublin west. The public health nurse service is experiencing significant shortages in Dublin south and west and the HSE has said recruitment is especially challenging. It has advised the local services is working to ensure those with the greatest need in the community are prioritised and that site-specific contingency plans continue to be refined monthly.

I fully recognise the frustration and worry of parents who are struggling to access the routine checks. I emphasise that if any parents have an active concern about their child they should contact their GP or local health office. We want to ensure the delivery of the full range of services provided by the public health nurses. We are progressing several initiatives at a national level within both my Department and the HSE to address the challenges with recruitment. There is an embargo in place, which the Deputies will be aware of. It is having an effect. This is one of the areas it is having an effect on. Before the embargo there were challenges with public health nurse recruitment into these teams and it is something the HSE is looking at to see what additional supports can be put in place. One of the advantages of moving to the regions this year is they will be able to deploy and redeploy healthcare professionals on a priority basis. What I see happening here is the inverse care law, meaning the communities and the families who need the additional public health supports the most are getting it the least. It is not something we are satisfied with at all and I am engaged with my Department and the HSE to increase the amount of public health nursing services available because I fully accept it is a real worry for parents.

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