Carlow TD calls on HSE to fill vacant dental position for people with special needs

Fianna Fáil TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor has called the HSE to urgently fill a vacant senior dental surgeon post for people with special needs in Carlow/Kilkenny.

The HSE confirmed to Deputy Murnane O’Connor that the post remains unfilled, despite the role being advertised on a number of occasions.
Deputy Murnane O’Connor said: “It is unacceptable that the HSE has left a senior dental surgeon post vacant in Carlow/Kilkenny for people with special needs.

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“The HSE, in response, to a parliamentary question, has informed me that the ost of Senior Dental Surgeon for the provision of services to clients with Speical needs in Carlow/Kilkenny is currently vacant, despite the role being advertised on countless occasions.

“I’m calling on the HSE to urgently remedy this situation. People with special needs in Carlow and Kilkenny deserve to have access to a senior dental surgeon.”

The HSE told the Carlow TD that there is a whole time equivalent dental surgeon providing services for clients with special needs in the South Tipperary area.

Deputy Murnane O’Connor added: “The HSE failed to outline a timeframe as to when they might expect the Carlow/Kilkenny post to be filled. And the HSE’s response that there is a dental surgeon for people with special needs in South Tipperary is not a good enough. Carlow and Kilkenny people with special needs should not be expected to travel to access dental care. This post needs to be urgently filled.”