Hospital Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-27
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Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF), Carlow-Kilkenny

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I assure him the Government is committed to providing access to the best care for the people of Ireland. We are clear that no matter where the facilities are located, everyone should have access to adequate and appropriate care based on their needs. Through the delivery of this programme, we are increasing capacity to meet short- and long-term needs, but the surgical hubs and elective treatment centres together will form a national network. These facilities will enable the delivery of care for all patients. Geography will not be a barrier. Instead, consultants and other doctors will be able to refer on the basis of patient need.
I see where the Deputy is coming from but the Minister welcomes the news that the development of the primary care infrastructure in County Offaly is progressing, offering a real example of the investment the Government is making in community-based health infrastructure, providing a single point of access to healthcare services for patients.
I assure the Deputy that there is currently no barrier to recruitment to primary care services and an additional 200 staff for primary care therapy services have been prioritised in the HSE national service plan. I will be speaking to the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, tomorrow and I will highlight the concerns Deputy Clendennen raised tonight.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-27/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:01+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-27