Ms Rosarii Mannion:

Absolutely, it is. In respect of value for money, VFM, and the issue of agency staff, I have never heard the HSE as an employer saying that agency staff provide a VFM solution to us. In fact, it is the contrary. Agency staff are a feature of the workplace and always will be for unplanned absences etc. We do not, however, want agency staff ingrained in the workplace or a permanent feature of the workforce. Over the last number of years we have had specific targets in respect of agency conversion. The Deputy will be familiar with this from across other grades in addition to the medical staff. It is not always easy and it is not always the choice of the individuals concerned. I can think of one or two hospitals - that I will not mention here - that have quite a preponderance of agency staff. Dedicated efforts and focused attempts were made to convert agency staff but we have been unsuccessful. Of the 127-----