Ms Rosarii Mannion:

I would not describe it as push back. A very reasonable response from local areas has been that appropriate resources must be allocated to a devolved function. The national recruitment service for the HSE is operated by health business services in Manorhamilton. It has a level of resource but we must look at a mechanism whereby locations would be supported to perform any devolved function. As the Deputy is aware, recruitment is a very risky business. We cannot do anything that would compromise the processes. Many of the delays involving various issues and sign-offs or whatever else are for a very good reason.