James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I will answer the last question first. It is straightforward. There is a moratorium on staff recruitment. Therefore, no new staff can be recruited. However, I have already informed the House that we are recruiting staff and this is where the flexibility lies. It will arise in areas where it is essential to replace staff to maintain a safe service. For example, Deputy Kelleher raised the issue of staff in Limerick. Some 16.5 whole time equivalent midwives are going but 15 new people are coming in. This is taking place in maternity hospitals because it is an area at risk and we have identified it as such. Emergency departments are another at-risk area. More new consultants are being hired in some areas.

There was a debate last night on stroke care in Ireland and it will continue tonight. Deputy Murphy was one of the sponsors of the motion. Many new staff are being employed in the stroke programmes to bring about a far better stroke service that will save lives and a considerable amount of money as well. The important thing is for us to save lives and reduce morbidity, a negative side effect. The policy of a moratorium has had unintended effects in terms of incentivising expensive operational options such as using agency staff and we will redress this.

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