Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Health if he intends to lift the staff moratorium in relation to psychiatric services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1180/12]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 840: To ask the Minister for Health if he will lift the ban on public sector recruitment in view of the situation that arose at a hospital (details supplied) over the Christmas and new year period, where long standing patients were moved into secured rooms. [40926/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 840 together.

The Government is committed to a reduction in public service numbers to 282,500 by 2015. This represents a reduction of 37,500, or 12% of staff, compared to 2008 levels. The health service must make an appropriate contribution to this reduction. The draft National Service Plan 2012, which is the subject of discussions between my Department and the HSE at present, will set out the level of reduction required in the current year. The Plan must also provide for all possible steps to minimise the effect of staffing reductions on services. These include pursuing to the maximum the flexibility and reform agenda provided for in the Public Service Agreement. In particular, it is essential that we bring about change in relation to rostering (especially of nursing and medical staff), skill-mix, a reduction in the use of agency staff and the continued implementation of the HSE's clinical programmes.

The current Employment Control Framework for the health sector gives the HSE some flexibility in relation to filling posts in order to protect frontline services in so far as possible while still achieving the required targets. In addition, the Public Service Agreement allows the HSE to redeploy staff based on service need. Nevertheless, the overall target reduction in numbers must be met, which will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge.

In relation to St. Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman, temporary arrangements were put in place over the Christmas period to ensure continuity, quality and safety of services for all patients. Because of this, a number of female patients had to be transferred from Unit 3B to a low secure ward on the Grangegorman Campus. The Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, visited the hospital before Christmas and met with most of the women involved. I am satisfied that in the circumstances the best possible arrangements were put in place for these patients and that every effort was made to keep the disruption for them to a minimum.

Unit 3B had been due to reopen on the 16th January. However, with the co-operation of management and staff, the HSE was able to reopen the Unit a fortnight earlier than anticipated and the female patients have now returned to Unit 3B.