Question from Deputy Michael Murphy - PQ 65214-25

To ask the Minister for Health the steps her Department and the HSE are taking to address the severe staffing deficit in consultant pathology posts at University Hospital Waterford, in light of the confirmation that only six of the required 18 WTE surgical pathologists are in post; the reason recruitment campaigns have repeatedly failed; the measures being implemented to ensure sufficient qualified personnel are available to sustain both diagnostic and coronial post-mortem services; and if she will make a statement on the matter.