The HSE say four unoccupied state-of-the-art dentist suites at the St Davnet's Complex in Monaghan Town are not in operation because of staff shortages.
Following a request for information by Northern Sound, a spokesperson for the HSE said the staff shortages are down to "staff retirements, maternity leaves, and the shortage of dentists available nationally." At present, one dentist operates three days a week out of just one of the four available suites.
Independent Monaghan Councillor Paudge Connolly dismissed the reasons given by the HSE for the lack of dentists in Monaghan and blamed the nationwide HSE recruitment freeze: "The fact of the matter is," Councillor Connolly told Northern Sound "that local management had advertised for, interviewed and were ready to appoint two dentists in County Monaghan and were prevented from doing so by the HSE embargo on the recruitment of staff."
