Laois Sinn Féin TD Brian recently spoke in Dáil Éireann about the Sinn Féin proposals to address vacancies in the Health Services.
Deputy Stanley told Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly: “The embargo on recruitment has been described by the INMO as a kick in the teeth.
“The Government’s decision in the budget to underfund our health service means that 7,000 essential posts have been scrapped, placing a huge burden of work on struggling front-line staff.
“In Laois-Offaly, there is chronic understaffing of posts in vital services and supports.”
A total of 42% of all CDNT (Children’s Disability Network Team) posts are vacant in County Laois.
There are numerous vacancies across the board in CHO 8 (the area that covers the Midlands and Counties Louth and Meath), including:
- 32% of speech and language therapy posts;
- 36% of occupational therapy posts;
- 41% of psychologist posts;
- 55% of dietician posts.
“Figures we received at the Committee for Public Accounts add further detail to the picture of what is going on in CHO 8,” Deputy Stanley said.
“There are ten vacant posts in medical care; 30 in nursing and midwifery; 31 in health and social care; 15 in inpatient and client care; and 14 in community services.
“Yet, the same document outlines that there are 34 more management posts than are needed.
“That is 34 additional staff in management and administration, according to the HSE’s own data.
“The decision to underfund front-line services is already creating difficulty and will continue to do so.
“Let there be no doubt that this will put the health of patients at risk.
“Job offers to health service workers have been withdrawn. Advertisements for vacant posts have been removed from websites and the Department has sent a message to those healthcare workers working abroad to stay where they are and not to come home.
“In fact, healthcare workers are being trained here to leave to work in other systems.
“Our motion seeks the lifting of the recruitment embargo, a properly funded health service and an urgent Revised Estimate for 2024.
“The Minister himself actually looked for extra money. We both know that it is needed. Front-line services are falling down and the gaps in the service need to be filled,” Deputy Stanley concluded.
