Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
554. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if there are still plans to recruit 1,000 new community healthcare workers by the end of 2020 as was pledged in budget 2020; if so, the number of positions filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8505/20]
View answerBudget 2020 included an additional provision of €10 million in 2020 (€60 million in a full year) for the enhancement of community and primary care. I welcomed the advance commitment to €60 million in 2021 as it will enable the recruitment of up to 1,000 therapists, nurses and other professionals in the community on a phased basis during the course of 2020, and will allow for these posts to be fully funded throughout 2021 in order to address the needs identified in the Health Service Capacity Review recommendations. This funding will also facilitate the recruitment of dementia advisers. The planning for these posts is currently ongoing and will need to consider the population needs at a community and regional level. At this point, no posts have yet been put in place but planning is at an advanced stage in order to get the required staff in post by year end.
