I have been asked by a number of people to raise the issue of the shortage of neurology nurse specialists, particularly in St. James's Hospital. They are campaigning to increase by 100 the number of nurses nationally. They say St. James's Hospital has only four but it should have 14 to deal with the catchment area. Will the Taoiseach look into this, try to find out what the problem is and campaign to get the nurses?

I will certainly examine the issue. Advances have been made in nursing through the nurse education and degree programme we introduced many years ago and through advanced practitioner courses. It is very clear in many specialties that nurse-led teams do enormously effective work, from gynaecology to children. In neurology, which historically has been an underfunded area, there is much to commend in what the Deputy said.