Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way he proposes to maintain services at St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown and at all other health centres in Wicklow and south County Dublin, in view of the proposed redeployment of a number of staff under the Croke Park deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13442/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE recognises that it is of paramount importance that there is no impact on services to patients as a result of the recent redeployment of staff from St. Columcille's Hospital, Loughlinstown and community services. This redeployment is being carried out in line with the agreed health sector redeployment protocol, provided for under Chapter 6 of the Public Service Agreement. This protocol allows for the redeployment of staff, in order to maximise the efficient and effective deployment of resources, while also recognising the rights, entitlements and needs of employees, and ensuring commitment to the development and maintenance of positive working environments. Individuals also have the right to appeal their redeployment.

All areas within the HSE are subject to essential redeployment, with the exception of some agreed key posts. The HSE is committed to the maintenance of front-line, essential services at these locations. To that end, staff which are being redeployed in these locations are those engaged in administrative duties, rather than working in front-line service delivery.

To date, the HSE report that there has been considerable co-operation with the transfer of services and staff. However, it is inevitable that there will be some issues that will need to be further reviewed and managed, within the community and hospital setting. At this juncture, it is not possible for the HSE to determine the overall impact, until all redeployments and appeals have been completed but HSE management will continue to work with staff throughout this exercise.