Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health if essential front-line staff remain part of the Health Service Executive recruitment embargo. [30289/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Employment Control Framework for the health sector requires a net reduction in employment of approximately 1,500 staff a year to 2014. The Framework contains sufficient flexibility to provide for adaptation to changing service needs. It exempts certain grades and posts from the moratorium on recruitment in order to deliver on key priority services. These exemptions include medical consultants, certain therapy grades, and a limited number of nursing posts. The Framework also allows the HSE discretion to fill non-exempt posts on exceptional grounds in order to maintain essential services and to meet priority service change and reconfiguration requirements. Although the number of such exceptions must be kept to a minimum, the Framework does allow the HSE the flexibility to manage its staffing resources in order to protect front line services in so far as possible. In addition, the Public Service Agreement allows the HSE to redeploy staff based on service need.

In July 2011, the HSE decided to introduce a recruitment pause to assist with addressing the serious budgetary overrun. Notwithstanding this pause, exceptions are still being made in order to address critical service risks.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 133: To ask the Minister for Health if an embargo remains in place in relation to two posts in the national counselling service in the Health Service Executive in counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan; when he expects the positions to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30290/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Employment Control Framework for the health sector exempts certain grades and posts from the moratorium on recruitment. These include psychologists, counsellors and behavioural therapists. The Framework also allows the HSE discretion to fill non-exempt posts on exceptional grounds in order to maintain essential services.

In July 2011, the HSE decided to introduce a recruitment pause to assist with addressing the serious budgetary overrun. Notwithstanding this pause, exceptions are still being made in order to address critical service risks.

In relation to the two posts referred to in the question, as this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.