The issue I am going to raise is of most serious public concern. I have been informed that the public health nursing system faces emergency closure this Friday in the Ballinasloe and Portumna area of County Galway. Four vacancies exist where six public health nurses usually operate. They are not being filled by the HSE. As a former GP, the Taoiseach knows this will affect oncology, acute hospital appointments, post-natal care for new mothers and school visits. This is huge. I ask the Taoiseach to personally intervene to get some of those appointments filled immediately. There is going to be a total closure of this service on Friday evening with no public health nurses available and that means patients will be going to hospitals. The Taoiseach knows where that is going to lead; we do not have the beds.

I am afraid I do not have any information on that issue but I will see the Minister for Health later and I will advise him that the Deputy raised the matter and ask him to reply to the Deputy directly.