Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she or the Health Service Executive will have any power or authority to refuse any applications under the voluntary redundancy scheme or the voluntary early retirement scheme to personnel who are considered essential to the running of the service or specific sections of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41519/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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On 1 November 2010 I announced that the Government has decided to approve a voluntary early retirement scheme and a voluntary redundancy scheme for certain categories of staff in the public health service.

The purpose of the schemes is to achieve a permanent reduction in the numbers employed in the public health sector from 2011 onwards and to facilitate health service reform. The Government has decided that funding of up to €400m will be made available in 2010 to fund the up-front costs of both schemes.

The VER and VRS schemes are open to employees management and administrative staff and general support staff but priority will be given to management and administrative grades. The exact grades covered by the two schemes are set out in detail in the relevant Circular (Circular 7/2010). There is general acceptance of the need to reduce the numbers of management and administrative staff in the health service. For that reason, all applications from management and administrative staff to avail of the schemes will be approved. Approval for applications from support staff will depend on the numbers of management and administrative staff who apply and the overall cap on costs not being breached.

I am happy to report that there is a high level of interest in the schemes. However it is not possible to predict, as yet, to what extent the current level of enquiries will translate into actual applications ahead of the closing date of 19 November. The HSE already have a process in place to track and monitor applications around the country and across services which will allow them to identify areas where service gaps may emerge and to address them. The HSE and health service employers will be looking to the provisions of the Croke Park agreement to ensure they continue to deliver services with reduced numbers and I understand that an engagement with the relevant trade unions has already begun.

While the implementation of the schemes will challenge the health service over the coming months, I believe that it will lead to a more efficient health service in the long term.