Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this matter for discussion which I have raised in order to seek clarification for the staff concerned. I am advised that approximately 13 people are on the laundry staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda. There are also seven contract staff comprised of three full-time and four part-time staff. They provide laundry services for the whole hospital.

The HSE staff have been offered redeployment within a 45 km radius of the hospital to undertake other duties in other areas of suitable employment. I ask the Minister of State to confirm or clarify this point.

I am advised that the unit cost of the HSE staff who provide laundry services in the hospital is quite competitive. This should be borne in mind when any significant changes are being made. I ask whether this proposal will be replicated in other hospitals and whether it will be a prolonged process involving the gradual introduction of contract staff. Is this the intention of the HSE and the Department?

Staff morale is being affected by this uncertainty because they do not know where they will be in one year's time. The HSE is the employer and the staff need to be advised of the future plans. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has announced there will be a further redundancy package for the public sector and I ask if this will be available to staff in these circumstances. The laundry staff in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital would much prefer to remain in their present employment without the need to contemplate the significant changes proposed. I ask the Minister of State to clarify the situation.

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