James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the sanctioned posts for therapists have been abolished in response to her Department's circular of 8 January 2008, which indicates that vacant posts are not to be filled unless another post is abolished; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11491/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the circular to which he is referring is the Health Service Executive Circular 01/2008. This circular sets out the HSE Employment Control Framework for 2008 and is aimed at ensuring that health services are delivered in accordance with the provisions of the 2008 National Service Plan and within the funding provided by Government.

The Employment Control Framework provides for the filling of vacancies arising in 2008, the filling of approved and funded service development posts not filled at the end of 2007 and new service developments in 2008.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of sanctioned posts, analysed by job title and grade, that have been abolished since September 2007 when the recruitment freeze was introduced; the reason these posts have been abolished in view of the long waiting list to see those medical professionals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11492/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the healthcare needs of the population into the future.

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.