Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Gloster for his presentation and wish him well in his new role. It is a difficult task and I fully understand that. In his statement, he outlined that there are positives in the health service. Life expectancy in Ireland, for example, has increased dramatically. The results in our maternity services are extremely good in a European context. However, the media's focus has been very much on the negative side of the health service. That gives the wrong impression to the public. Consider the number of people now employed in the health service. In December 2014, 103,000 whole-time equivalents were employed in the health service. That figure is now 142,000, or coming close to it. In real terms, between part- and full-time staff, how many people are working in the HSE now? I know Mr. Gloster may be unable to give an exact figure but can he give an approximate figure as to the total number now working in the HSE?