2499. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health given the increased distances to be covered by public health nurse in rural communities, if it is intended to increase the number of public health nurses in rural areas, and specifically in CHO7, to ensure that rural patients under the care of public health nurses receive the prescribed necessary level of care and number of visits. [33313/24]

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.