Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans to make health service employees work longer hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48937/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There are no plans at present to require health service employees to work longer hours. Health service management met recently with the principal health unions and outlined the nature of the financial and staffing challenges facing the sector in 2013 and beyond. In that context, management tabled a range of flexibility and reform proposals, within the scope of the Public Service Agreement, to ensure that savings and efficiencies are maximised.

Subsequently, and in response to a request by the Implementation Body to each sector, a revised Action Plan for implementation of the Agreement in the health sector has been submitted for consideration to the Body.