Following concerns regarding Occupational and Speech and Language Therapy staff in Galway, I raised the commitment detailed in the HSE’s 2020 Service Plan with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. 

In response Minister Harris confirmed that the budget for the additional 1,000 staff under the Sláintecare Enhanced Community Care Fund is secure and that a total of 4000 staff will be recruited over the next 4 years. 

With the immense challenge of Covid 19 there has been concern locally that the commitment to recruit frontline community healthcare staff would not be met this year. 

With a €10 million allocation in Budget 2020 and increasing to €60m in 2021, the Sláintecare Enhanced Community Care Fund will see the recruitment of 1,000 healthcare staff including occupational and speech and language therapists and dementia care advisors. 

Minister Harris confirmed to me that while the Covid 19 crisis has somewhat delayed the recruitment process, the commitment is being pursued with the additional funding earmarked for 2021. 

There is an urgent need for extra occupational therapist and speech and language therapists in Galway and I am reassured by the commitment Minister Harris gave to me at Cabinet.