James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the length of time she expects the health service employment recruitment ban to continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33847/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The current pause on the recruitment of additional staff is a temporary measure initiated as part of the Health Service Executive financial break-even plan. There is no recruitment ban in place in the HSE. Of course, 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 an assessment of the priority of need.

Notwithstanding this, the Health Service Executive recognises that there are some circumstances where the appointment of staff may be necessary in front-line services. Accordingly, a process has been put in place to evaluate, monitor and approve requests for derogation from the general recruitment pause. A small group has been established including a representative of the National Hospitals Office, PCCC and other Directorates of the HSE and this group meets weekly to consider such applications. Of the applications for derogation received to date, 520.8 WTEs (wholetime equivalents) have been approved 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.