Galway Bay fm newsroom – The HSE says the failure to secure much-needed staff for a community nursing unit in Ballinasloe is due to a lack of nurses – and not a failure in its recruitment service.
Funds were made available in February for 6 full time nurses and 14 full time health care assistants at St. Brendan’s in the town.
Those staff have failed to materialise seven months later – and it’s understood that agency staff are currently filling the roles at considerable cost to the taxpayer.
The issue has been raised in the Seanad by Labour Senator Lorraine Higgins, who’s describing the situation as beyond ludicrous.
Speaking on behalf of Leo Varadkar, Minister Ann Phelan said the failure to secure the positions was due to a nationwide shortage in nursing staff.
Senator Higgins says the Health Minister’s excuse simply isn’t good enough.