Mr. Tony O'Brien:

It is hard to give a straight answer to the question because it requires some thought. In general, given that it must live within a particular ceiling, the HSE is not without the ability to seek specific skills where necessary. For example, there is a requirement for a chief financial officer for the mid-western regional hospitals group in order to strengthen financial management as part of the development of that group. Recruitment is taking place through the Public Appointments Service. It is certainly not the case that the effect of the blanket moratorium limits our ability to address those deficits because we are seeking to do so at present.