Written answers

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Department of Health

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Photo of Patrick NultyPatrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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717. To ask the Minister for Health if he will lift the recruitment embargo in the health service to allow the recruitment, on a permanent full-time basis, of young persons who have been trained up as health professionals, and who are now forced to seek work abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9651/14]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Notwithstanding the need to reduce the numbers employed across the public service in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets, arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of front-line staff where there is an established service need. I want to make it attractive for frontline staff to continue their careers in Ireland and initiatives are in train to support retention.

NCHD recruitment and retention is required in order to support service delivery, to address reliance on agency and to facilitate the achievement of the European Working Time Directive compliance. I set up the MacCraith Group to undertake a Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career structure last Summer. The Group is to make recommendations aimed at improving the retention of medical graduates in the public health system, planning for future service needs and achieving the maximum benefit from investment in medical education and training. The Group provided an Interim Report in December 2013 focusing on training and is now examining career structures and pathways following training with a view to preparing a report by the end of March 2014. It will provide the final report by the end of June 2014.

In relation to nursing staff, up to 1,000 two-year contracts are being made available to graduate nurses and midwives in our health services under the Graduate Nurse/Midwifery Programme. The scheme will support the retention of graduate nurses and midwives within the Irish health system and enable them to gain valuable work experience and development opportunities post-graduation. Participants will have access to a variety of care settings while gaining clinical experience.

A Support Staff Intern Scheme also allows for the recruitment of a similar number of staff. The scheme also facilitates the intern achieving the appropriate FETAC level 5 qualification, which will be an invaluable asset in their professional development.

The HSE has advised me that both schemes have received a large number of applicants and I am satisfied that they will achieve their objectives of reducing agency costs and affording graduates and interns valuable work experience and career development opportunities.

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