Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people working in the health services, both part time and full time, who are not included on the payroll system for dates (details supplied); if the information in this parliamentary question was sought under a Freedom of Information request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22966/08]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 339: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people working in the health services including the Health Service Executive, both part time and full time, who are not included in the payroll system for dates (details supplied); if the information in this parliamentary question was sought under a Freedom of Information request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22967/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.

The main source of employment data in the health services is the Health Service Executive's Health Services Personnel Census. The census collects data on actual staffing level for each staff grade in each health agency at a given point in time. The census is carried out quarterly at the end of March, June, September and December each year and is derived from payroll history in each agency. The health service employment ceiling approved by the Minister for Finance ceiling determines the health service census return, including the addition, or exclusion of certain grades (e.g. home helps) and agencies.

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.

In addition, I understand that this information was not sought from the Department of Health and Children under the Freedom of Information Act.