Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if an embargo applies in respect of recruitment to the health service area in general; the restrictions and nature of such embargo if applicable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34829/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There is at present no embargo on recruitment to any area of the health services nor is there any plan to introduce one. The health service operates with an employment ceiling in line with the Government policy to control numbers employed in the public service generally. The 2005 employment ceiling for the health service is 97,550 in whole time equivalent terms.

Employment levels for the health service have been adjusted since 2002 in line with Government policy on public sector employment and also to take account of specific policy measures aimed at increasing service levels for patients. It is a matter for the Health Service Executive, as part of the management of its employment ceiling, to determine the appropriate staffing mix required to deliver upon its service plan priorities.