James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total number of persons who could have applied for the voluntary redundancy scheme; the total number of persons who have applied for the Health Service Executive voluntary redundancy scheme; if she will provide a breakdown of applicants between management and administration and support staff; if she will provide a breakdown of applicants on a HSE area basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46189/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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On 1 November 2010 I announced that the Government had approved a voluntary early retirement (VER) scheme and a voluntary redundancy (VR) 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.

I understand from information provided by the HSE that there were 3,596 applications from eligible grades by the closing date of 19 November 2010. I also understand that of that total 2,310 were from the Management/Administration category while the balance of 1,286 was from the General Support category. A total of 2,586 eligible applications were received from HSE employees. The breakdown on a HSE area basis is as follows:

Dublin Mid Leinster 468

Dublin North East 494

West 840

South 760

Not linked 24

It should be noted that the information on the number of applications is still provisional as the data is currently being validated by HSE. Based on the Census return for the end September 2010 the total number of employees in the Management/Administration category is 19,778 while the General Support category accounts for 13,871 individuals.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total amount of funding made available to the voluntary redundancy scheme; in view of the lower than anticipated take-up of the voluntary redundancy scheme, the estimated cost of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46190/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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On 1 November 2010 I announced that the Government had approved 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 had agreed that up to €400m could be made available to fund the costs of the schemes in 2010 and this was the upper limit based on an upper estimate of 4,500 to 5,000 applications.

I am happy to report that there was a good level of interest in the schemes. By the closing date of 19 November, there were approximately 3,500 applications from eligible grades. The cost of the schemes will depend on the numbers who actually decide to go, and while I do not have final information on that number yet, I do not expect the cost to be more than €250m.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if any senior staff leaving under the early retirement and voluntary redundancy scheme will be taken back on a consultancy basis in the new year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46191/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The re-hiring staff of who have availed of either the Voluntary Early Retirement or Voluntary Redundancy schemes is clearly not allowed under the terms of these schemes. It is a specific condition of the VER scheme that those availing of the scheme will not be eligible for re-employment in the public health sector or in the wider public service or in a body wholly or mainly funded from public monies. The same condition on re-employment applies under the Voluntary Redundancy Scheme also, except that the prohibition will be for a period of 7 years, after which time any re-employment will require the approval of the Minister for Finance. These restrictions also apply in the case of re-engagement on a contract for service, which would include coming back on a consultancy basis.