Public health nurse shortages
Gino Kenny highlighted severe shortages of public health nurses for early childhood development, especially in Dublin Mid-West, and said families were being left without services for up to 18 months. The Taoiseach asked for details and said he would follow up with the Minister for Health.
I want to raise an issue regarding the shortage of public health nurses in early childhood development. These are vital services for new mothers. Several parents have contacted me and other Deputies in Dublin Mid-West to inform us there are no public health nurses whatsoever. They have been told by the HSE that they will not have one for at least 18 months. This is completely unacceptable. The problem is acute, not only in Dublin. Of the 240 public health nurse vacancies, 62% are in Dublin. The services are vital but parents cannot avail of them. What is the Government doing to address these issues? The issues pertain to something that goes further than vacancies because nurses just will not take up the positions because of the cost of rent and the cost of living.
Comment on this
If the Deputy could send me the details of the particular shortages and the location, I will follow it up with the Minister for Health. Obviously, public health nurses in the area of early childhood development are important. I will talk to the Minister about the points the Deputy has raised. He should feel free to send me some specifics on the matter. I will follow up of them.