Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Health if he will further extend nursing panels in order that those who have worked full-time hours as agency nurses will get the opportunity to apply for permanent positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32958/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Employment Control Framework for the health sector exempts certain grades and posts from the moratorium on recruitment. These include some nursing posts. The Framework also allows the HSE discretion to fill non-exempted posts on exceptional grounds in order to maintain essential services. While the number of such exceptions must of necessity be kept to a minimum given the need to make reductions in employment numbers and associated pay savings, the HSE operates a number of staff nurse panels to meet requirements where exemptions are justified. Since the recruitment moratorium in March 2009 approximately 400 Staff Nurse positions have been filled.

In the first half of 2011 the HSE conducted two national recruitment campaigns for Staff Nurses and panels were formed from which future appointments would be made. In July, the HSE decided to introduce a general recruitment pause to assist with addressing the serious budgetary overrun. Notwithstanding this, the HSE will extend the current panels as appropriate to ensure that should service needs justify the use of exemptions specific posts can be filled.