Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of employment of people either by her Department or agencies of her Department; the employment status and employee entitlements of people employed as home helps in the health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35365/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The majority of staff employed in my Department are permanent civil servants. There are also a small number of staff attached to my Department or agencies of my Department who have been seconded in or are on contract. These staff are all specialists in their areas. My Department also has three staff on temporary six month placements under Civil Service approved work experience schemes.

Both the Non-commercial State Sponsored Bodies under the aegis of the Department and the Health Service Executive are responsible for the terms and conditions of their employees on an on-going basis. However, when appointing new employees in the Non-commercial State Sponsored Bodies, their terms and conditions of appointment are subject to Ministerial approval. In statutory instruments establishing the individual bodies, the consent of the Minister for Finance may also be required. In the case of new employees with the Health Service Executive, terms and conditions are subject to the approval of the Minister, given with the consent of the Minister for Finance as set out in Section 22 of the Health Act 2004.

The Health Service Executive have confirmed that home help staff employed by them have the same status and entitlements as all employees of the Health Service Executive.