Written answers

Thursday, 13 January 2011

Department of Health and Children

Health Service Staff

2:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the overall absenteeism level in the public health service in 2010; the total estimated cost of absenteeism to the Health Service Executive in 2010; the targeted absenteeism rate for public health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1770/11]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Absenteeism through illness is a normal incidence of working life. The HSE has advised that an analysis of the data collated by the Executive indicates that a substantial majority (in the order of 85%) of such leave is certified by medical practitioners. Indeed, Health Service employers have available to them a comprehensive set of management tools allowing for a robust engagement on absenteeism with staff, with the objective of ensuring the necessary supports and interventions are available to reduce the impact of non-attendance on the delivery of services and to assist staff return to work in a timely and effective manner in both the interests of staff and services.

Combined absenteeism levels have reduced from 5.05% in 2009 to 4.71% for the year to October 2010. This represents a fall of 6.73% on 2009 or 18.23% on 2008 (5.76%). A rate below 5% has been maintained since January 2010 and the HSE is working towards achieving a rate of no more than 3.5%.

Current figures put the Health Services generally in-line with the upper quartile figure reported by IBEC for large organisations in the private sector and available information for other large public organisations and are below figures reported by Department of Health & Social Services in Northern Ireland. The HSE estimates that the payroll costs for each 1% of absenteeism are in the order of €60M.

Photo of Michael D HigginsMichael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there have been any major gaps in appropriately experienced and qualified personnel to ensure that services are well managed following the recent redundancy-early retirement scheme; the measures being taken to ensure that appropriate staff are in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1545/11]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I am advised by the HSE that the total number of people who left under the exit schemes was 2,003 as at 31st December 2010. Some queries are being finalised with some non HSE organisations that may result in some minor adjustment to the total numbers. There are also an additional 25 people on maternity leave who have the option to take up an exit package on their return that would bring the total to 2028

This comprised of 1,409 in the HSE and 594 in other eligible organisations. The total number of management/administration staff who left was 1364 while the total number of staff who left from support services was 639.

I also understand from the HSE that a human resources framework has been agreed with the relevant trade unions at national level to ensure that any gaps identified as a result of staff leaving under the exit schemes are being dealt with appropriately. This is being used by local management and local trade union officials to deal with the impact of those staff leaving under the schemes. On completion of the exit schemes an assessment was undertaken at local level to determine priority positions for reassignment. This process is ongoing at local level with the staff associations.

There are a number of other measures and actions being taken to minimise any affect on services through staff departing under the exit schemes. For example where a role can be suppressed or part of a role can be suppressed then this is being actioned to release staff to critical areas. In addition the HSE is seeking expressions of interest from staff in non front line areas that may be in a position to transfer in order to fill any gaps in front line services.

The HSE is managing this process on a regional basis to the greatest extent possible, so that local management have the flexibility to resolve any potential gaps in services.

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