Quetions from Deputy Michael Murphy - PQ 40242-26, 40243-26, 40244-26 and 40246-26

To ask the Minister for Health the number of vacant home support staff posts in South Tipperary; the measures being taken by the HSE and Government to recruit additional frontline home support staff in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 40242/26]

To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to reports of elderly persons in South Tipperary going without home support services on certain days due to staff shortages, sick leave, annual leave and the HSE recruitment freeze; the steps being taken to ensure continuity of care for vulnerable older persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 40243/26]

To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for lifting recruitment restrictions affecting home support services in south Tipperary; the number of home support workers who have retired or left the service in the past two years and have not been replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 40244/26]

To ask the Minister for Health if additional funding or emergency staffing resources will be provided to home support services in South Tipperary in order to address significant staff shortages currently affecting elderly care in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 40246/26]