Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people working in the public service under temporary employment contracts on a fixed-term basis who will lose their jobs as a consequence of the non-renewal of those contracts due to the moratorium decision announced by the Minister for Finance on 27 March 2009; the organisations in which such terminations will occur; the number of individuals who will lose their jobs as a consequence of this decision; the annual saving that will accrue to the Exchequer as a consequence of the non-renewal of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15045/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In order to implement savings measures on public service numbers, the Government has decided that, with effect from 27 March 2009 to end 2010, no post in the public sector, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, or the payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. The decision also applies to temporary appointments on a fixed-term basis and to the renewal of such contracts.

Arrangements have been put in place for the health sector that aim to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible and there will be flexibility in relation to the filling of key front-line posts for the following grades; Hospital Consultants, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Clinical Psychologist, Behavioural Therapist, Counsellor, Social workers and Emergency Medical Technicians to allow for the continued development of integrated health care, particularly primary and community care, care of the elderly and people with disabilities.

The way in which the Government decision will be applied is a matter for the Health Service Executive, and I have accordingly referred that part of the Deputy's question to the Executive for attention and direct reply.