Donnelly must address the Dáil urgently
Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has expressed his deep concern at the management of the Department of Health.
With recruitment freezes, an under-resourced health service and a nationwide strike looming, Deputy Smith said the Minister must address the Dail this Tuesday.
Deputy Smith said:
“The rumbling of health issues over the weekend is deeply concerning. People feel deceived after news of a recruitment freeze was announced just three days after Budget 2024.
“The lack of communication from the Minister to the people of Ireland since is appalling. Particularly as strike action in the community and voluntary sector looms this week, people are deeply concerned about the health of the health service.
“Reporting in today’s paper indicates that Minister Donnelly has had arguments with Fine Gael Ministers but what discussions did he have with his own Party leader and Minister for Finance?
“I’ve spent the weekend speaking to people who are deeply concerned about the strikes in the community and voluntary sector, strikes that could be staved off if the Minister and his Government would come to the table with a meaningful offer of pay parity.
“Like almost everything else under this Minister for Health, we see buck passing and can kicking. It might have worked for him up until now but almost every household across the country will feel the brunt of the strike action of our care workers this Tuesday.”
“Minister Donnelly needs to come out of hiding to address the Dáil on Tuesday. No later. He needs to explain his silence on Budget Day and the shock announcement of the recruitment freeze on Friday.”