Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 711: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a month by month breakdown of retirements of the number of health service staff that are retiring each month between September 2011 and end of April 2012; if he will provide an outline of the posts that will be prioritised for replacement and give a month by month breakdown of when these positions will be filled. [8160/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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These numbers are liable to change as data is refined, as additional applications are processed and if existing applications are withdrawn. There is currently no data available for the months of March and April 2012.

The Government has determined that, in line with its commitment to reduce the size of the public service, health sector employment numbers must be reduced to approximately 102,100 WTE in 2012.

The impact of staff reductions, and particularly those occurring before the end of the present "Grace Period", together with reduced financial resources, represents a significant challenge for the health system in delivering services. The HSE's National Service Plan 2012, which I recently approved, sets out what actions will be taken to address these challenges. The HSE is seeking to mitigate the impact of the retirements on frontline services by -

Using the provisions of the Public Service Agreement to bring about greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters, redeployment and other changes to achieve more efficient delivery of services.

Delivering greater productivity through the National Clinical Programmes to reduce average length of stay, improve day of admission surgery rates and increase the number of patients treated as day cases;

Some limited and targeted recruitment during 2012 to address critical risks and in priority areas including mental health, primary care, child protection and the National Clinical Programmes, to help limit the impact of retirements on frontline services. It is not possible at this stage to indicate a detailed timescale for such appointments.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 712: To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a monthly breakdown of the number of health service staff in County Louth due to retire between September 2011 and end of April 2012; if he will provide a breakdown by grade and location; the posts that will be prioritised for replacement if he will and give a monthly breakdown of when these positions will be filled. [8161/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.