Dáil debates

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

Other Questions

Health Service Appointments

4:00 am

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details on the recruitment of the next chief executive of the Health Service Executive; the number of candidates that have expressed interest in same; the time line for the interview process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20298/10]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The board of the Health Service Executive is continuing the recruitment process for the next chief executive officer of the HSE as the contract of the current CEO, Professor Brendan Drumm, expires in August this year. In accordance with section 17 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE board is responsible for making the appointment. The Act stipulates that the recruitment process must be in accordance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.

I understand the recruitment process is being conducted in accordance with the code of practice issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Public advertisements for the position were placed nationally and internationally in December 2009. In addition, an executive search and recruitment company, Amrop Strategis, was engaged by the board following competitive tender and conducted an international search for the position.

By its nature, much of the information about this competitive process, including information about applicants and interviews, is confidential. It is not appropriate, therefore, for me to speak about the details sought by the Deputy. However, I understand the intention of the board is to complete the process in June.

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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It is disappointing that Deputies are unable to obtain the information sought as to the number of candidates for the position and how many are external and internal candidates. Does the Minister have a role in the process of recruiting a new chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive? What will be the salary of the new CEO? We have been given to understand it will be in the region of €228,000, which is considerably less than the salary of Professor Drumm.

The Minister referred to a consultancy firm that is involved in the recruitment process. What has been the cost to the State of this firm's role? The Minister also indicated she hoped an appointment would be made in June. I refer her to comments made by Professor Halligan when he declined the job. He described the health service as "over-managed and under-led", adding "You don't need €17 billion. You absolutely don't . . . you need leadership,".

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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As I stated, under the Health Act 2004, I do not have any role in recruitment. The search company engaged interviewed or met more than 25 persons from around the world and more than 100 people expressed an interest of some form in the position. A cap of €37,000 was imposed on the costs of the recruitment process for the company in question and I understand the final figure will be lower than that. The matter is one for the board of the HSE. Its chairman informed me last week that it was intended to have identified a successful candidate in June. The salary is, as recommended, in line with the salary of the Secretaries General to the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance. By international standards, this is not considered a high salary in this area of responsibility.

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Has the Minister expressed a view to the HSE as to who she believes would be good for the job? She indicated her view that Professor Tom Keane would be a good candidate for the position. We all probably regret that he did not take the job. I am not trying to be vexatious and I put my questions in a positive rather than negative manner. Given that the Minister has experience of many other health systems from visits she has made to other countries, during which I am sure she has met Irish people working in the health services of various countries, has she suggested the names of any individuals who would be good for the job of chief executive officer of the HSE?

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I hold Professor Tom Keane in high regard. He impressed me so much when I met him in Canada that I asked him would he consider coming to Ireland. I did not expect to receive a positive response and I was delighted when he decided to come here. He was appointed to a specific position of overseeing the implementation of the cancer control programme on a contract we agreed with his then employer, the cancer agency of British Columbia. I have not expressed a preference, although I stated when asked in Cork about Professor Keane's decision to leave the country that I would love him to stay in the country. I indicated quickly, however, that the CEO of the HSE was not a matter for me but an entirely independent process. That remains the position and I have not expressed a view to the chairman or any member of the board, nor have I been asked for a view on the matter.

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I, too, do not wish to be vexatious in raising an option the Minister may not have considered. Pending a complete reform of the structures of health care delivery, would the Minister consider suspending the appointment and giving collective responsibility to the next tier of respective heads and leaders of the various sections of the Health Service Executive and direct the funding to the employment of 14 student nurses who would probably make a much more useful contribution at the front line, given that we are exporting them day and daily? As the people the Minister welcomed to the Gallery were able to share with us, we are training them in order that they can employ them overseas.

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I do not know of any health provider which can operate without a CEO. To refer to the words cited by Deputy Reilly, every organisation needs leadership. The HSE requires, in particular, a chief executive officer given that it is responsible for a budget of almost €15 billion provided by taxpayers. I would not consider asking anyone to suspend the recruitment process. It is important that we have a smooth hand-over from Professor Drumm to his successor. If the person is identified in June, this will, I hope, take place in August.