Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

These are matters for the HSE board in terms of contractual obligations and conditions of employment. Clearly, I expect it will take into account the new economic situation with which we are contending.

While bonus schemes can be in place, the question of whether they are approved and paid depends on these performance related issues being confirmed and completed over the period of that year. It relates to management issues involving officers in the HSE to which this applies. On the more general point made by Deputy Kenny, the Government is doing all it can to maintain, to the greatest extent possible, the service levels built up over time. We are in a new economic situation and we must deal with the current budgetary position. We are trying to address that as equitably as possible.

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