Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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267. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which staffing at all levels throughout the public health system remains adequate to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40302/13]

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. This policy requires that by the end of 2013, the health service achieves a workforce of 98,938 whole time equivalents (WTEs). However, the HSE can make staff appointments once it remains within its overall employment ceiling and has the financial resources to do so.

The health service is the most complex sector of the Irish public service and employs approximately one-third of all public service staff. Despite the substantial reductions in financial and staff resources which have been necessary in recent years, the health budget accounts for approximately €13 billion annually. In addition, the health service is the subject of an ongoing major programme of reform in line with the Programme for Government. It is essential that the health service has the optimum number and mix of staff necessary for the safe and effective functioning of the the service in accordance with its business needs and Government policy on public service numbers.

While I acknowledge the pressures that reducing budgets and staff numbers place on the Health Service, I am confident that the reforms which are ongoing and the flexibility introduced by the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements will allow the HSE to continue to meet service demands within the approved staff ceiling.