Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 528: To ask the Minister for Health if the Health Information and Quality Authority applied to the Department of Finance for approval to appoint investigating officers and a regional director during the period 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010, in view of the fact that there was a recruitment embargo in place. [30868/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The role and responsibilities of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have increased in recent years and its financial allocation and staffing compliment have increased accordingly. e Health Sector (Non Commercial State Agencies) Employment Control Framework 2011 - 2014 provides for exemptions for professional and technical grades involved in essential frontline inspection and welfare services subject to the approval of my Department. My Department is in regular contact with HIQA in relation to its resource requirements and I can confirm that applications for a number of such posts were received and approved during 2010. In addition, HIQA may from time to time, apply for approval to appoint Authorised Officers under Section 70 of the Health Act 2007 to assist the Authority in carrying out an investigation. These appointments are generally of short duration and terminate once the investigation is completed.