Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 222: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the unfortunate departure of the director of the National Hospitals Office, the timescale and details of when and how the position will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3032/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Responsibility for staff recruitment within the Health Service Executive rests with the HSE. I am advised by the HSE that it has initiated the process to fill the vacancy arising of National Hospitals Office director. The recruitment process will be undertaken by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the HSE, in accordance with the provisions of code of practice 01/05, external and internal recruitment for appointment to positions in the HSE, issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments.

To ensure this critical area of the health service remains fully functioning and continues to develop, I am advised that Mr. John O'Brien, who is on secondment to the HSE from the post of chief executive officer of St. James's Hospital, Dublin, took up the post of national director of the National Hospitals Office on 23 January 2006 on a temporary basis.