Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the outcome of the review of ambulance personnel and recruitment embargoes that was to take place at end of October 2007. [28849/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

The Deputy may wish to note that the current recruitment pause is a temporary measure initiated as part of the HSE financial break-even plan. 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 is meeting weekly to consider such applications.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the front line ambulance service will be properly fulfilled under the present staffing arrangements. [28850/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issue raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of relief and permanent personnel in the ambulance service. [28851/07]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount paid in overtime in the ambulance service. [28852/07]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if undue overtime requirements are demanded of an already over-stressed ambulance service. [28853/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 to 133, inclusive, together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.