Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been an increase in the rate of recruitment to middle management positions since the recovery from the recession and resources have been made available by central government. During the very difficult years of the recession, the Government of the time did everything it could to continue the recruitment of front-line staff but there was a pause in recruitment to management positions. We are now catching up in that regard. The figures indicate an increase in recruitment. As I stated, the percentage of managers in the HSE is comparable to that in similar organisations internationally and those data are available for anyone who is interested. One should consider the hard data and the broader picture rather than taking populist and opportunistic political cheap shots. I am not unduly concerned on this issue. I am entitled to my opinion. As a Minister of State at the Department, I have no vested interest in protecting the HSE which is well able to answer for itself. However, I am not concerned on this issue.