I want to raise the serious gap in primary care services in the midlands. There is no primary care occupational therapist in counties Offaly or Laois. As a result, children with mild to moderate developmental or sensory needs have no access to occupational therapists locally. Families are being told that unless their children's difficulties worsen to the point where they meet the criteria for disability services, no support is available. That means children are being left without care until their needs escalate when early intervention could have prevented that outcome. I have raised the issue repeatedly through parliamentary questions but responses continue to refer to general recruitment challenges rather than address the reality on the ground. Will the Taoiseach help with providing these services in the midlands? This issue requires immediate attention and action.

I will certainly pursue this matter in terms of additionality and services in primary care. Recruitment has been challenging. I might take the opportunity to engage with the Deputy and the Minister in terms of what we can do to add services, support recruitment and retention and have a better impact into the future.