IT is not known how many vacant posts for occupational therapists (OTs) there are in Donegal.
The issue was raised by Independent Cllr Declan Meehan at the meeting of the Regional Health Forum West and North West on Tuesday.
He said he has been made aware of recent communication to GPs explaining that there is a scaling back of OT services in north Donegal, with this being put down to vacancies.
“When I raised this issue previously in March 2025, there were 11 full time OT vacancies across Donegal with two more expected,” he explained.
“There were 476 people waiting, 360 of them waiting more than a year.”
In a written response, Cllr Meehan was informed that 15 OT staff have been recruited in the past year to both basic and senior levels and that recruitment is ongoing.
However, Cllr Meehan said there is no evidence online of either recruitment or vacancy figures.
“If there were 11 to 13 vacancies in March 2025 and 15 people were recruited in the past 12 months, can we be provided with an explanation as to why there’s a scaling back of OT services?” he asked.
He also sought a breakdown as to whether the vacancies are for primary care, disability teams, older persons, mental health or hospital care.
General Manager for Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH), Seán Murphy, said he would come back to Cllr Meehan with the figures he requested.
In the written response, Dermot Monaghan, Integrated Health Area Manager, Donegal added: “Once staffing levels have been restored, the service will return to its standard referral pathways and service delivery arrangements, while continuing to operate in accordance with the Occupational Therapy Contingency Plan.”
Meanwhile, an update was provided to Fianna Fáil Cllr Ciaran Brogan after he questioned the appointment of a dermatologist consultant for Letterkenny University Hospital.
He was informed that the post is presently being progressed through the National Recruitment Service (NRS) who will in turn pass it on to Public Appointment Service (PAS) for advertisement.