M J Nolan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the embargo on recruitment of staff in the Health Service Executive will be lifted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32966/07]

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 for 2007. 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. Of the applications received, a total of 520 derogations in whole-time equivalent terms have been approved up to 28 November where posts have been identified as critical to service delivery.

I have been advised by the Health Service Executive that the recruitment pause will continue for December 2007 and the current arrangement will be reviewed prior to the end of the year. It is intended that a robust employment control framework will continue to be applied to services in 2008.