Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health if there is any truth in the suggestion that the Health Information Quality Authority require the movement of staff for no good reason, that is, if there are two hospitals near each other they interchange the staff despite the fact that many members of staff might have been employed in the one hospital for 10, 20 or 30 years and all of a sudden they are being told they have to move to a different hospital and the suggestion is that it is a HIQA requirement. [53538/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is a statutory body responsible, inter alia, for driving quality, safety and accountability in residential services for children, older people and people with disabilities in Ireland. The Authority is responsible for driving improvements in the quality and safety of healthcare on behalf of patients. In this context, it is a matter for the Chief Inspector to determine, for each health care centre, whether the staffing level and mix is appropriate. However, it is the responsibility of the registered provider in each centre to ensure that there are sufficient appropriately qualified staff to ensure services are delivered in accordance with HIQA National Standards and the needs of the residents.

Given the budgetary position and financial challenges, there is an ongoing need for reform, including greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters, as well as redeployment in the health sector. The HSE is committed to fast-tracking new, innovative and more efficient ways of using reduced resources, including greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters (especially of nursing and medical staff) and changing skill-mix.

Under the Public Service Agreement appropriate arrangements to redeploy staff within and across each sector of the public service have been agreed. In relation to the health sector this protocol applies to all employees of the HSE and health employers funded by the HSE. Redeployment of employees may be required for a number of reasons including to redirect or develop skills and competencies required to meet evolving patient or service user needs.