Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister for Health has previously stated, he recognises the need for individual hospital groups and CHOs to operate within their allocated budget considering the national service plan approved for 2019 and respects the prudent approach being adopted. He has also pointed out that the HSE's overriding requirement is to prioritise the delivery of safe services within the available resources.

As stated earlier, the HSE directorate has made it clear that these recruitment restrictions will only be necessary for hospital groups or CHOs until such time as there is clarity on plans for 2019. On receipt and acceptance of balanced plans, these additional controls can be reviewed and removed where appropriate.

The sooner that costs begin to reduce towards affordable levels, the less impact it will have on staff and services, as I already said.

While these temporary measures are in place, the Department of Health has made it clear to the HSE that it must proceed with filling approximately 2,000 additional approved and funded development posts to maintain and enhance key services across the acute, mental health and primary care areas.

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