Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on concerns that newly qualified nurses, dieticians and other health professionals will be forced to emigrate for work due to the effect of the Health Service Executive recruitment embargo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24006/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The current recruitment pause is a temporary measure initiated as part of the HSE financial break-even plan and will be reviewed at the end of October 2007. The HSE recognises that there are some critical or exceptional circumstances where appointment of staff may be necessary in frontline services. Accordingly a process has been put in place to evaluate, monitor and approve requests for derogation from the general recruitment pause. A group has been established which will meet weekly to consider such applications.

I am aware that some physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy graduates have had some difficulty in obtaining employment in the public health service. In this regard, my Department is continuing to chair a working group comprising representatives from the HSE, the therapy managers and IMPACT. The Group has identified the contributing factors and has developed an action plan with a view to addressing these factors. The group is now working through prioritised actions and continues to make progress on several key actions.

Since the establishment of the HSE, the number of Medical and Dental personnel has increased by 13.02% (913). The number of nursing personnel has increased by 4,296 (+12.52%) to 38, 609 (or by 2,848 and 8.3% when student nurses are factored out). The number of Health and Social Care Professionals increased by 2,611 (+20.35%) to 15,441. The Deputy may wish to note in particular the increases of 32% (Dieticians), 35% (Occupational Therapists), 24% (Physiotherapists) and 30% (Speech and Language Therapists). These changes clearly demonstrate the commitment of the Health Service Executive to ensuring focus on patient care and the recruitment of frontline personnel.