Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 211: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 24 May 2006 the position of the Chief Executive Officers of the health boards; if the persons involved are within the employment of the Health Service Executive; if not, if there were redundancy or severance payments made; the cost of such payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22728/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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On 31 December 2004, there were twelve post holders in the system at the level of Chief Executive Officer: two on permanent contracts and ten on fixed term contracts. Employment in the Health Boards/ERHA/Area Boards is superannuated under the Local Government (Superannuation) (Consolidation) Scheme — S.I. 455 of 1998 (LGSS). The superannuation benefits of permanent officers ceasing to hold office is covered under section 70 and 71 of the Scheme. Benefits of those on fixed term contracts are provided for under Section 78 of the Scheme and entitlements include immediate pension, retirement lump sum, 26 weeks severance gratuity, and added years (subject to maximum of ten years). Membership of the staff superannuation scheme is mandatory for all staff. Therefore in the normal course of events the benefits outlined above would have been payable to all of the CEOs on retirement or completion of contract.

In addition, following discussions under the auspices of Mr. Finbarr Flood, acting as Mediator, exit terms were to be supplemented as follows:

1. a once-off payment of €10,000 to all CEOs in recognition of the legal duties and functions of the chairpersons and members of the Health Boards having been statutorily assigned to them during the period 1st July 2004 to 31st December 2004,

2. a re-training grant of up €10,000 to be paid on basis of vouched expenditure,

3. an ex gratia payment equivalent to six months' gross salary.

Proposals 2 and 3 applied to those CEOs who requested to leave the HSE by 1st July 2005. These proposals were put forward by the Mediator on the basis of the uniqueness of the position of the CEOs within the context of the abolition of the Health Boards and the transition to the HSE structures under the Government's health service reform programme, and also the leading role played by the CEOs in facilitating the transfer of accountability and ensuring a safe passage to the new structures.

Ten of the twelve former CEOs opted to exit the system (nine on contract and one permanent post holder (who had full service)). One former CEO who has a permanent post is now in employment in the HSE and the remaining contract post holder has opted to finish out his contract of employment. The costs of such payments were administered by the Health Service Executive and I understand that the total cost of providing superannuation benefits and ex gratia was in the region of €3.4 million. I have asked the HSE to notify the Deputy of the exact figure in due course.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 212: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of public health nurses employed in the health service in County Mayo in each of the years from 1997 to 2005 and to date in 2006. [22729/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.