Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 570: To ask the Minister for Health in view of the figure of €169 million which was paid to private employment agencies by the Health Service Executive, his views that it is time to start re-employing and filling full-time positions which are available in the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33385/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Agency staff, including doctors, nurses, and healthcare assistants are used in the main as temporary cover for vacant posts that arise for a variety of reasons including sick leave, annual leave and maternity leave, and to ensure continuity of service provision.

The decision to use agency staff is made at local service level and the reliance on agency staff is one of the expenditure items being reviewed as part of local cost containment plans. The new contracts for the provision of agency services put in place by the HSE earlier this year have resulted in significant unit price savings being available to the service.

The Employment Control Framework (ECF) for the Health Sector requires reductions in employment levels in line with the Government's fiscal and budgetary strategy. Notwithstanding this, some exceptions can be made in order to address critical service risks. Where possible and in the context of the moratorium, part time and work-sharing staff are being offered the opportunity to increase the number of hours they work before agency staff are used.