asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the serious cut-backs in staffing which are seriously affecting the Pathological Laboratory in the County Hospital in Tralee, County Kerry, and which make it virtually impossible for surgeons and surgical staff to carry out their duties; the action he proposes to take to remedy the situation as a matter of urgency; and if he will give an assurance that such a service will continue to work at maximum capacity there.
Written Answers. - Tralee County Hospital Staffing.
280.
I am aware that the Southern Health Board is implementing measures necessary to secure a reduction in costs in respect of the County Hospital, Tralee. These include a curtailment of expenditure on on-call laboratory services, which are those provided outside of normal working hours. It is a matter for a health board to determine the allocation of its resources and, following consultations with the Southern Health Board, I am not aware that the measures taken have prevented surgical staff from carrying out their duties as suggested by the Deputy. If the Deputy is aware of any particular difficulty, I will be glad to have the matter investigated.