Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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527. To ask the Minister for Health the number of overseas recruitment drives undertaken by the Health Service Executive in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the number and job title of posts offered at each recruitment drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39378/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought.

Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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528. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 250 additional primary care posts that he approved earlier this year that have been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39379/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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In March 2013, I issued approval to the HSE to commence recruitment to Primary Care Teams with immediate effect of the following additional 251 Primary Care posts: 70 Public Health Nurses; 37 Registered General Nurses; 51 Occupational Therapists; 46 Physiotherapists; and 47 Speech and Language Therapists. The allocation and distribution of the above posts is based on bringing each Integrated Service Area, where staffing is below the national average, towards the national average. The recruitment process is at an advanced stage and it is the intention to have these posts filled by the end of this year. The position at the end of August 2013 is as follows: 19.5 posts filled/start dates agreed; 152.25 posts accepted/start dates to be agreed; 13.5 posts expressed to candidates/still to be accepted; 4.5 posts being processed locally; and 61.25 posts recruitment process is ongoing. The HSE is striving to have all posts filled by the end of the year. In August this year, a further 13.5 Primary Care posts were approved and these are now being progressed in addition to the 251 posts above.