Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will lift the ban on public sector recruitment for health and ambulance personnel in the forthcoming budget in the interests of public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30129/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There is no ban on public sector recruitment for health and ambulance personnel and recruitment continues within the limits set out by Government for the control of public service numbers generally. In implementing this policy, I want to avoid or minimise the effect on front line staff providing a service to the public and to ensure that essential services to the public are not affected. It is a matter for each Department and sector of the public service and relevant Minister to set priorities to give effect to this policy.