James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 542: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has not been awarded their entitlements in relation to subsistence and mileage with regard to their employment with the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38755/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 543: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Question No. 262 of 7 October 2009, if she will grant approval to fill the vacant dental posts in County Meath in view of the cutbacks in the service in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38775/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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In order to implement savings measures on public service numbers, the Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment, promotion or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade with effect from 27 March 2009 to the end of 2010. A HSE circular has issued which gives effect to the Government decision in the public health services and other specific aspects of the employment control framework for the health services. The HSE will focus on the scope that exists in the health services for reorganising and restructuring work to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. The redeployment and reassignment of existing staff will also support the reorientation of care from hospitals to the community and to facilitate the development of integrated care. It is seeking a high level of flexibility from staff and unions to achieve this. The Government decision has been modulated to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible in the health services, particularly in respect of children at risk, older people and persons with a disability. In addition, the employment control framework specifically exempts certain front line grades in the health sector from the moratorium and allows for a growth in the number of those posts within the overall approved employment ceiling (111,800 whole-time equivalents) for the health sector. The framework also includes provision for the creation of 225 new development posts this year for cancer, mental health and disability services. In addition, special provisions apply in relation to certain specialist grades under the National Cancer Control Programme. The focus on key grades is in line with existing Government policy on the prioritisation of certain development areas, for which significant funding has already been provided. The overall result will be to assist in the reorientation of health employment to services delivered in primary and community care. Correspondence from the HSE requesting derogations from the moratorium on recruitment, for three dental surgeon posts in HSE Dublin North East, was received in my Department on 21 October last. This request is being examined in conjunction with the HSE.