Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the latest figures for the employment of agency staff in acute hospitals in 2012; the other alternatives to agency staff that are being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57071/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction.

Agency staff may be used only in the most exceptional of circumstances and when all alternative avenues have been exhausted. Such staff may only be engaged when signed off by identified senior management.

The Health Service Executive will shortly be introducing an Employment Initiative/Placement Scheme for Graduate Nurses and Midwives. Under the scheme graduate nurses and midwives will be offered the opportunity to apply to take part in a two year placement programme in the public health services. In particular, the scheme has the potential to enable nurses with limited or no work experience post-graduation to gain such experience and to benefit from mentoring and skills development. The scheme is also intended to contribute to a reduction in expenditure on agency staffing and overtime in the health service. The HSE is proceeding with arrangements to finalise the details of the scheme, including the eligibility criteria, and will be inviting applications early in 2013.

With regard to the latest figures for the employment of agency staff in acute hospitals in 2012, this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, and as such, the Deputy's enquiry has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.