Mr. Liam Woods:

I would have to understand more about the specific locations throughout the 48 acute sites and the community services. It is the broad intention that permanent available posts will be filled permanently and that this will happen as soon as we can arrange it. It has been happening and there has been significant growth in the whole-time equivalent number in nursing and elsewhere in the employed number in the HSE since the start of the year. It has increased by more than 4,000. Last Friday, I indicated the number was 32,071 and our June data show an increase of more than 4,000. An ever-increasing number of permanent contracts are being offered and staff are coming into place.