Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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386. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the national hepatitis C strategy; if the funding-neutral elements will be implemented; if funding to fully implement the strategy will be ring-fenced; if the moratorium on recruitment of public sector staff to expand the numbers of specialist nurses will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36772/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The National Hepatitis C Strategy 2011-2014, which was developed by the Health Service Executive, was published on 4 September 2012. The Strategy provides a framework for a coordinated and integrated response to Hepatitis C in Ireland. The National Hepatitis C Strategy Implementation Committee was established by the Health Service Executive to progress the recommendations of the Strategy. Funding for the implementation of the Strategy in 2015 will be determined in the context of the Estimates process.

The Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets and introduced a moratorium on recruitment in the Public Service in March 2009. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction.

In order to mitigate the impact on frontline services of the reduction in employment numbers, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. The revised working arrangements provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement are a pivotal element in this regard. It should be noted that, subject to approval by senior managers, arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of staff where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to progress achieved to date in the implementation of the recommendations of the Hepatitis C Strategy.