Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

There is no Government embargo on the recruitment of nurses. The chief executive officer of each individual health board has responsibility for the management of the workforce, including the appropriate staffing mix and the precise grades of staff employed within that board, in line with service plan priorities, subject to the overall employment levels remaining within the authorised ceiling.

The Health Service Employers Agency undertakes a quarterly national survey of nursing resources. The most recent survey reported that the recruitment of additional nurses continued to be a prominent feature of activity, with a net increase nationally of 563 nurses in the system in the year ended 30 June 2004.

My Department wrote to the CEO of the Western Health Board on 21 September approving the provision of funding and authorising the following increases in the employment ceiling to allow for the commissioning of new units in the board's area: University College Hospital, Galway — an adjustment in the employment ceiling of 140 additional posts to allow for the transfer of orthopaedic trauma and the commissioning of intensive care beds; Mayo General Hospital — an adjustment in the employment ceiling of 95 additional posts to allow for the full commissioning of orthopaedics and a further adjustment of seven staff for the unit for the elderly; Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe — an adjustment in the employment ceiling of ten additional staff to allow for the development of a stroke care unit and the commissioning of ICU beds; and Roscommon County Hospital — an adjustment in the employment ceiling of 40 additional staff to expand the emergency department and for a new medical assessment unit.

It is clear from these figures that the Government is committed to the continued development of services in the Western Health Board and that recruitment of nurses and other health service staff remains a priority.

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