Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The HSE has admitted that it has created a reliance on an unaffordable level of agency staff in recent years to maintain service provision. Some €200 million was spent last year on agency workers. The HSE has targeted a 50% reduction in the current year. Earlier this afternoon the Minister stated he would not lift the recruitment embargo, yet he has referred to a greater flexibility. We do not understand how this comes into play. The Minister has never spelt out how this greater flexibility offsets the intended and signalled cuts, the departure of some 4,200 staff from the health services by the end of this month which the Minister has acknowledged. Given a 50% cut in agency staff how will front line service provision be maintained? Will the Minister explain to the House and to the health spokespersons what his greater flexibility means and how it translates?

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