PBP criticises lack of public health nurses in South Dublin

People Before Profit councillor Darragh Adelaide will introduce a motion on the return of South Dublin County Council requesting the Minister for Health to meet with local representatives.

Adelaide said the aim of the motion is to address a shortage of public health nurses in the constituency.

TD Gino Kenny has worked with Adelaide on the issue, and has repeatedly raised the issue with the Minister for Health.

Kenny claims that despite receiving assurances from the Minister for Health that the positions would be filled by July 2023 by new gradures, public health nurse positions have not been appointed.

Despite claims from the Minister that positions would be filled by July 2023 with new graduates, public health nurse positions have not been appointed.

Adelaide said “I have serious concerns over the ongoing shortage of public health nurses in Rathcoole and Newcastle. These areas are experiencing rapid growth, and in the case of Rathcoole it houses one of the youngest populations in Ireland. Despite this, for several years the region has faced a severe lack of public health nurses.”

“The lack of public health nurses means that infants and young children are not receiving the vital developmental checks they need. This is not just a local issue; it is a serious public health concern that could have long-lasting effects on our children’s future.”

“I have introduced this motion to South Dublin County Council demanding that the Minister for Health meet with local representatives to explain why these essential services are being withheld from children and to address children being denied the services they need and deserve.”

Kenny said “I first wrote to the Minister over two years ago in relation to no public health nurses in some areas of the constituency. Rathcoole, Newcastle and Lucan currently have no public health nurse, this means thousands of children are not receiving necessary health checks.”

“The long-term implications on children will be detrimental and will end up costing the HSE more money. Parliamentary questions answered by the Minister to my office last year, confirmed a target to fill positions with new recruits by July 2023. It is September 2024 and not one public health nurse has been allocated. The Minister must meet with local representatives to resolve this issue urgently, I am hopeful that Councillor Adelaide’s motion will be supported by all representatives.”