John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason care assistants, home help and support staff within the Health Service Executive do not qualify for the new HSE voluntary redundancy package despite the fact that a number of them would avail of it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42234/10]

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 €400 million will be made available in 2010 to fund the up-front costs of both schemes.

The VER and VR schemes are open to management and administrative staff and general support staff (e.g. porters, drivers, chefs) 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). The schemes are not targeted at those providing front-line services, therefore they are not open to the grades referred to in the Deputy's question.