Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on reports that an employment ceiling and a lack of funds prevented the Health Service Executive from establishing a triage system and hiring security personnel in the casualty department of Our Lady's Hospital in Navan; the steps she intends to take to address these deficiencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29528/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department does not set employment quotas at national level for any grade in the public health service. It is a matter for the Health Service Executive, as part of its management of its employment ceiling, to determine the appropriate staffing mix required to deliver its service plan priorities. My Department is currently in discussions with the Department of Finance and the Health Service Executive to agree revisions to the health service employment ceiling to take account of service developments.

The Deputy's specific 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 this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.