The lack of HSE ophthalmology services across south Tipperary is deeply concerning and is a growing source of frustration. This follows the planned retirement of a consultant ophthalmologist in August of last year. In correspondence that I received from the HSE on 14 January, it was confirmed that the post has been approved and is currently in the recruitment process. I appeal to the Government to intervene directly. The Minister will agree it is unacceptable that children across my constituency have been left without essential eye care.

I thank Deputy Murphy for his question and his focus on this issue. With regard to the specific post in question, which is a badly needed post, as the Deputy said, it is approved for filling and the process for recruitment is ongoing. One of our biggest challenges where we have funded positions is to make sure those positions are filled, and filled quickly, because patients need that, as the Deputy has highlighted again today. I will raise it again with the HSE and look for a further weekly update on the process of recruitment. However, we are in need of the staff to come into the system as well.

Could the Minister provide me with an update on the 243 bus service from Newmarket to Cork city? The NTA published a consultation on this in October 2023 and there was good feedback from the community regarding it but we have been waiting for the NTA and Bus Éireann to make an announcement on the proposed service. Many people in my area are looking for an enhanced service. There is an enhanced proposal but the NTA has not finalised it. We are looking for an update on that as quickly as possible.

To return firstly to the previous matter raised by Deputy Michael Murphy, I acknowledge that he has been raising his issue with me but as the Minister for Health is here, I thought a direct response from her was perhaps more helpful to him.

In response to Deputy O'Shea, I acknowledge the importance of the issue and thank him for raising it. I know an awful lot of work has happened on this. Funding for rural transport went from €12 million to €57 million in 2024. It is planned to put in place significant improvements to this service this year. The NTA is engaging with Bus Éireann on this matter. It has informed me that it will be able to introduce the enhancement in the coming months. I will follow up with it to find out the date of the announcement and to make sure it is aware of the Deputy's interest in and support for this proposal.