Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 9:

In page 28, between lines 28 and 29, to insert the following:

"(c) contain an accurate assessment of the assets held by the Executive, details of the number of employees, and shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas within 90 days of its establishment,".

This amendment deals with the preparation of a service plan which will be submitted to the Minister. It concerns the number of employees in the health service executive, which has proven to be a matter of grave concern in the past. We have seen a significant increase in the number of staff employed in the health services. However, the rate of increase of administrative staff as against that of consultants, doctors and nurses is varied.

Rightly or wrongly, the perception is that there are too many bureaucratic systems in place which are resulting in a poor service. It may be a simplistic perception but the public would prefer to see more medical than administrative staff. I am sure that many administrative staff are doing a fantastic job and I have heard that there are administrative shortages in some areas. However, I have also heard from people within the health service who say there is overstaffing in the administrative area. The key is not only to have staff in place but also to appoint and deploy them properly. Ultimately, it is all about providing a service to the public.

In recent years, the Government has failed to ensure a proper staffing system within the health service. That is why we are in the current mess. Almost 100,000 people are working in the health service and I acknowledge the positive role they play but the Government also has a role in allocating the necessary staff numbers. We can all recount stories about shortages of occupational therapists or speech and language therapists, while other appointments may have been surplus to requirements. That is what this amendment is about. It would provide a clearer idea of the numbers of employees and assets, which we do not currently have.

The previous Minister for Health and Children was asked about the number of employees in the health service and he could not provide an answer, which was incredible. I presume they were all being paid. There was some problem with giving a specific answer to that question.