I want to raise the issue of public health nurse, PHN, shortages. There is a general problem with a lack of public health nurses in many areas, but in my constituency, the public health centre on Old County Road has issued a letter that it is suspending developmental checks. Developmental checks conducted by PHNs are an incredibly important part of early intervention and of identifying problems for young people, children and families. The loss of developmental checks is an incredible worry and is simply storing up problems for the future. Can we address the need and the public health nurse shortages in general? In particular, Old County Road suspending developmental checks is a grave risk to the community. I hope the HSE, with Government intervention, will address the staff shortages there as quickly as possible.

I thank the Deputy for raising this really important issue, which has been raised previously on the floor of the Dáil. Public health nurses for young people, young babies and older people are hugely important the length and breadth of the country. We have been challenged, especially in areas of County Dublin and the city, in being able to facilitate the employment of public health nurses. This has been raised with the Department of Health and the HSE. They are actively trying to recruit into these areas. I think everybody is in agreement as to how important public health nurses are, especially for developmental checks. My understanding is that the HSE will try to put in place interim measures in the short term but I will ask for a written response to the Deputy.