Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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414. To ask the Minister for Health his position regarding the moratorium on filling any health worker posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36919/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, 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 fiscal and budgetary targets. 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.