Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As I informed Deputy Mick Wallace, if we are to maximise the number of hours, we must place a value on it. In embarking on the negotiations I was concerned that we would drill down to workplace level in order that the availability of extra hours would represent a real cost reduction in dealing with the contracting in of agency staff, bringing an end to unnecessary overtime or keeping people on rosters when there was no need to do so and paying them at premium rates. We have certainly done a huge amount of work on that matter. It will come as no great surprise to the Deputy to discover that the largest savings will be made in the HSE, which is a 24-7, 365 days a year operation. There are good indicative figures and when the talks conclude and, please God, workers vote for the agreement, I will be able to provide them for the Deputy.

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