Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)

I was about to ask the same question. Is it not possible for the HSE to secure the services of temporary staff for this short four-week period? I understand what the Minister of State has said. I would not for a moment wish to trespass on anybody's right to take annual leave. If we accept that the response we have been given - the posts lie vacant and cannot be replaced - is accurate, does the HSE not have some flexibility to hire staff for four weeks?

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