Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding psychiatric services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25496/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under the Employment Control Framework for the Health Sector, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has discretion to make exceptions to the general moratorium on recruitment in the public service in order to maintain essential services. Such exceptions must of necessity be kept to a minimum so that the targeted employment reductions and consequential payroll savings are met. The Framework also provides that certain posts are exempted from the moratorium including a number of psychiatric nurse vacancies (up to 100 posts can be created where they are required to support the implementation of 'A Vision for Change'). In July 2011, the HSE made the decision to pause recruitment due to its serious budgetary situation. Notwithstanding this pause, exceptions are still being made to address critical service risk.