Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 213: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the plans to replace the contract and agency nursing staff in Crumlin children's hospital, Dublin, with permanent staff in view of the announcement recently that the agency and contract staff were not to have those contracts renewed. [17420/09]

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 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. Therefore when vacancies arise, each agency must reallocate or reorganise work or staff accordingly. In the case of the health sector, any exceptions to this principle, which will arise in very limited circumstances only, require the prior sanction of both the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Finance.

In order to ensure that essential front-line services provided by nurses and other health care professionals are maintained, the new employment control framework for the health sector provides for the redeployment of staff (and associated salary costs) within and across the hospital and primary, community and continuing care pillars, and from one institution to another to support the development of integrated care delivery. The way in which the Government decision will be applied in the health sector, including hospitals such as Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin 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.