Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a question on the filling of posts. It has been an issue as long as I have been around, which is a while. A number of us were previously members of the Eastern Health Board. We learned whatever skills we have there, or did not learn them as the case may be. Why is it not possible for the HSE to identify the most important and fundamental posts to be filled, so that we will not have this situation of it saying that it cannot operate anymore because of an embargo or go-slow? It is well known that the HSE and the delivery of services has considerably expanded in terms of employment of extra staff. It is huge. Some of the more important ones were not filled or were left aside. It is not a good strategy.