NEWS: Concerns raised in Dáil over lack of HSE ophthalmology services in south Tipperary

Deputy Michael Murphy voiced his alarm in the Dáil over the almost two-year disappearance of Health Service Executive eye care in south Tipperary, urging swift updates on hiring efforts and backup plans.

The Dáil heard that almost 1,800 children, many just toddlers, are left waiting for essential eye care. Deputy Murphy highlighted the frustration of families told to call University Hospital Waterford in emergencies, only to be met with silence.

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Minister Mary Butler said the latest hiring effort, which ended on January 21, attracted several qualified applicants for the eye doctor position. The candidate selection process will begin on February 27, with interviews scheduled for mid-March 2026. The HSE has also posted job openings for an eye care specialist and an eye movement specialist, with applications closing on January 19. Hiring people for these jobs should help restart eye care services in South Tipperary.

The Minister added that the HSE has contacted the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin to support residents of south Tipperary and has also engaged a private agency. Deputy Murphy acknowledged progress in recruitment but stressed that delays in early childhood vision care can lead to negative outcomes. He said parents should not have to travel to other counties, pay for private care, or wait at least 18 months for an assessment.