Urgent action is required to solve ophthalmology crisis in Tipperary, warns TD
Despite repeated recruitment efforts, the HSE has confirmed that no applicants applied for the most recent advertisement to fill the vacant ophthalmologist post in South Tipperary.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath has called for immediate intervention to address the ongoing failure to recruit a Consultant Ophthalmologist for South Tipperary, warning that the situation has reached a critical point.
Despite repeated recruitment efforts, the HSE has confirmed that no applicants applied for the most recent advertisement, which closed on 4 December 2025.
In response, the HSE is now engaging with private service contractors, but these providers are also struggling to secure qualified specialists.
Patients requiring urgent ophthalmology care are currently being directed to University Hospital Waterford.
Deputy McGrath stated:
"This is an unacceptable and deeply worrying situation. Patients in South Tipperary are being left without access to essential eye care because the HSE cannot fill this critical post. The fact that there were zero applicants for the latest recruitment campaign is beyond alarming and is a crisis that demands urgent action."
"Rural communities cannot be left behind when it comes to specialist care. I will be raising this issue in the Dáil in the New Year and demanding answers from the Minister for Health.” concluded McGrath.