Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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548. To ask the Minister for Health his views on recent comments that the Health Service Executive has a surplus of 1,500 administrators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39565/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In July 2013 there were 15,592 management / administrative staff employed in the HSE and agencies funded by the HSE, which represents 15.4% of total staff; management/administrative staff numbers have reduced by 2,829 since July 2007. In the context of the employment control framework numbers employed in the health service must be further reduced. While it is a matter for the HSE to determine the composition of its staffing complement, it is important not to underestimate the significant role that management/administrative staff play in the direct support of front line services.

I am satisfied that the tools are available to the HSE to ensure that the correct number and mix of staff is available in accordance with its business needs and government policy on public service numbers. In this regard, 78 management/administrative staff have recently been approved for incentivised career breaks and it is anticipated that in 2014, the HSE will begin to offer voluntary redundancy on a targeted basis to staff identified as surplus to requirements.