Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the total amount of funding made available to the voluntary redundancy scheme in 2012; the estimated cost of the scheme in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37134/12]

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a targeted redundancy programme in the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38089/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1594 and 1698 together.

The Government is committed, in line with the Programme for Government, to reducing numbers in the Public Service in the period to 2015, while protecting front-line services as far as possible. It will continue to examine all areas where savings and numbers reductions might be achieved. While the option of offering voluntary redundancy on a targeted basis may be considered in the course of achieving the required reductions, there are no specific proposals or plans in this regard for the health services at present.