21 September 2026
By Valerie Ryan
Valerie@TheCork.ie
“It’s clear that a political intervention is needed to ensure that Cape Clear gets the basic healthcare needs it requires to maintain basic services for its residents,” says Fianna Fáil Ireland South MEP, Billy Kelleher.
Kelleher was commenting after concerned residents and family members of island residents contacted him about the lack of full-time nursing cover on the island.
“In a submission received this week, it was shown that in many months of the year, nursing cover is missing up to 50% of the time, and worryingly, during the summer months, when the tourist season is in full swing, there is little to no nursing care.
Fianna Fáil Ireland South MEP, Billy Kelleher.
“Cape Clear’s population is aging, with more complex medical needs. For example, many residents require bloods to be taken regularly. Without a full time nurse, residents must travel to the mainland which can often take 8-10 hours for a return trip.
“This is neither fair nor safe in my opinion. We need a political intervention from the very top to ensure that nursing cover is increased to make island-living practicable and safe for all.
“Today, I have written to Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll-McNeill requesting that she engage with the HSE to request an increase in nursing provision on the island, and ideally the employment of a public health nurse who can provide the same level of services that residents on the mainland can access.
“If we want more of our citizens, especially those living in Gaeltacht communities, to stay on our islands and more remote locations, we need to provide them with the services they need,” concluded Kelleher.