Ms Yvonne O'Neill:

When we move a nurse from an agency arrangement to being directly employed by the HSE on a permanent arrangement, the value to us is 16%. We constantly seek to convert any member of staff on a temporary or agency arrangement to being a permanent member of staff where we have such vacancies. It is worth noting in response to Senator Máire Devine's question about flexibility that we also re-employ retired nurses to the maximum of their pre-retirement income in order that it does not impact negatively on their superannuation. That gives them the flexibility they seek. They are making decisions on a work-life balance based on their terms and conditions and do not want a permanent arrangement.