James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will lift the present embargo on employment in the health services for disability services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29877/07]

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 this month. In any instance where a critical or essential vacancy arises it may be filled through redeployment of existing staff by the line manager or re-assignment of responsibilities based on assessment of priority need.

Notwithstanding this, the HSE recognises that there are some 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 meets weekly to consider such applications. To date, a total of 332 derogations have been issued through this process.