Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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217. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the management in the Health Service Executive is saying that the voluntary redundancy facility is voluntary as some staff in hospitals are being refused. [3245/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In 2013 my Department authorised the introduction of a targeted voluntary redundancy facility in the HSE and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of the facility is to achieve a permanent reduction in numbers and to facilitate ongoing health sector reform. This facility will provide managers with the scope to reduce employee numbers in the context of changing health sector structures under the health reform programme. The targeted voluntary redundancy facility was introduced in the HSE with effect from 1st January 2014. It is important to emphasise that there is no automatic right to voluntary redundancy; staff may be offered voluntary redundancy in the context of current and future business needs and service provision priorities.