Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I will direct my questions to Ms Mannion. What type of approach to succession planning and planning for vacancies that arise in the service is taken? It is very clear that all of these processes take a long time. What type of approach is taken? Is she concerned that a post is left vacant for a year or six months and then the process outlined by Mr. Hughes must be gone through? It is not really acceptable. At the end of the day, it is patients and their families who are suffering as a result, as are the staff who must work in these stressful conditions. It is an obvious problem that has been there for years. What type of policy does the HSE hope to introduce to address this issue with regard to succession planning?

With regard to the working group, Ms Mannion stated she hopes to bring its work to a conclusion at the end of this month and implement recommendations. She stated there has been a devolvement of responsibility locally. When did that happen and what does it mean on the ground for patients? Can nurses be identified and employed locally to fill local posts? Who has responsibility on the ground to make this decision?