Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on recent media reports suggesting that the Health Service Executive wants to introduce new restrictions on recruitment and to review the contracts of all temporary staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40216/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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 current economic climate demands the careful control of public expenditure to avoid additional demands on the Exchequer. I have made it clear that the HSE must live within its overall allocation and manages its activity levels and costs appropriately to achieve this.

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.