Written answers

Thursday, 27 September 2007

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Staff

5:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 77: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the HSE regarding its decision to impose staffing and other cuts in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21342/07]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will be aware that the Health Service Executive has a statutory duty to deliver a balanced budget. In this regard, it has taken steps to ensure that it meets this objective in 2007 by means of its Breakeven Plan 2007. This includes a pause in recruitment for an initial period of one month beginning on 5 September. The HSE is to review this position on 1 October in the light of the financial position then pertaining. Other features of this plan include

cancelling all foreign travel for the remainder of the year

cancelling all domestic hotel bookings for the remainder of the year, and

reviewing all non front-line expenditure to ensure that it is authorized at an appropriately senior level.

I am in regular contact with the CEO of the Health Service Executive on a range of matters, including in relation to the management by the Executive of its budget. I wish to put on record my support for the HSE in taking this corrective action to ensure it remains within its Vote for 2007.

I wish to advise the Deputy that employment in the health service has already increased significantly in 2007. 2,500 new posts have been approved so far this year by the Health Service Executive arising from new service developments contained in the National Service Plan 2007. The total number of posts will be in excess of 4,800.

According to the Health Service Personnel Census the total number employed in the public health service increased by 57% between end 1997 and end 2006. This represents an increase of over 38,000 in wholetime equivalent terms. As at end June this year, the number employed in wholetime equivalent terms was approximately 111,500.

To date this year, the HSE has already exceeded its targets and has treated substantially more people than the same period last year. For example, over 20,000 more patients have been treated in acute hospitals on both an in-patient and day case basis compared with last year. Day case attendances are up 11% and outpatient attendances are also up nearly 6% compared to the same time last year. Overall, the national figure for the number of in-patient discharges is up 3.8% and the number of births continues to rise and is currently up 10% compared to July 2006.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.