Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In respect of the Department of Health and Children, for instance, the report by the organisational review programme stated that some people have little or nothing to do while other colleagues are overwhelmed. It mentioned high levels of sick leave, real frustration, on the back foot and uneven quality of leadership. Arising from that, is there any validity in the reports that there may well be enforced redundancies in the HSE because of the industrial dispute at present?

Who determines what Departments are covered under the organisational review programme? Why, for instance, has the Department of Finance not been included in this? Is the Department of Finance above all reproach or analysis when in recent years its reports and indications stated that the public finances were on a sound footing and that the direction ahead was clear in the national interest? Is it intended that the Department of Finance will be included under a review programme, and if so, when is that likely to be operational?

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