Taoiseach urged to lift recruitment freeze for Donegal health services

Donegal TD Pádraig MacLochlainn has called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to end the recruitment freeze affecting health services in the county.

Speaking in Dáil Éireann, the Sinn Féin TD highlighted long‑standing staffing shortages in Letterkenny Hospital, mental health and disability services, and community hospitals, saying the region has “lagged behind the rest of the country.”

MacLochlainn noted that the campaign for a Surgical Hub in Donegal was successful last year after years of perceived neglect, but warned that the recruitment freeze now threatens any progress.

He urged the Taoiseach to “please remove the recruitment freeze immediately,” arguing that patients are suffering in the Letterkenny emergency department and staff are working in “horrendous conditions.”

In response, the Taoiseach said staffing levels and budgets have risen “very significantly” across the health service in recent years and called for realistic, sustainable planning. He described the Surgical Hub as a “good decision” and said the Minister for Health would be asked to engage with Letterkenny to explore options.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Timothy Huliselan / Pexels.