Mr. Jim Breslin:

The Sláintecare report did work on bed capacity and what is needed over the next ten years, and so on, providing we do certain things. That determines the numbers of personnel. During the economic difficulties and downturn there was no room for recruitment. We are playing catch up, particularly in some hospitals and community organisations, which is required. We cannot keep recruiting at the current level. This year's budget allows for certain recruitment of staff. We have not put an embargo in place, we have said that people and areas will continually recruit once the budget is available and once it is an approved position within the service plan. We need to focus purely on those positions and ensure that we do not recruit in other areas which do not have the budget.