Councillor Mikey Sheehy has sought further clarification from the Health Service Executive (HSE) on staffing and capacity at West Kerry Community Hospital.
At a recent South West Regional Health Forum meeting in Tralee, Cllr Sheehy requested an update on staffing levels and recruitment progress at the Dingle hospital.
He also asked what a completed scope-of-works assessment on part of the hospital had concluded, including whether any building or safety works were required before additional beds could be reopened.
The HSE did not provide specifics.
The HSE confirmed that all 46 registered beds at West Kerry Community Hospital are currently in use.
It said staffing rural hospitals can be challenging, particularly in peninsula locations, and noted that temporary shortages can arise due to retirements, resignations, maternity leave and sick leave.
The HSE provided Cllr Sheehy with details of recent recruitment campaigns but did not confirm whether any appointees had taken up posts at the hospital.
A targeted nurse recruitment campaign took place in late 2025. Successful candidates were placed on a panel and are progressing through the recruitment clearance process.
Regional and local recruitment campaigns for Multi Task Attendants (MTAs) in 2025 resulted in more than five whole-time equivalent appointments from the third quarter of last year in the South West region.
A Healthcare Assistant competition closed on 17 February this year. The HSE said applications are currently being sifted.}
Following-up, Cllr Sheehy sought specific figures, including the difference between current staffing levels and those that would be required to reopen Module One.
A HSE representative said they would revert with precise staffing numbers.
It was also confirmed that the scope-of-works assessment for Module One had been completed.
When Cllr Sheehy asked whether the assessment had determined if additional beds could safely be reopened, the HSE said it did not have that information or the review date but would provide further details when available.
