Written answers
Wednesday, 6 May 2015
Department of Health
Health Service Voluntary Redundancy Facility
Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
299. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a voluntary redundancy scheme, offered to administration staff working in the Health Service Executive, similar to that offered in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17288/15]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
In 2013 my Department introduced a Targeted Voluntary Redundancy (VR) Facility for the HSE, and in organisations funded by the HSE under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The purpose of this VR Facility is to achieve a permanent reduction in numbers and to facilitate ongoing health sector reform. Voluntary redundancy will give many managers greater flexibility in implementing the measures needed to remain within budget. It will provide scope to reduce employee numbers in the context of changing health sector structures and health reforms. The VR Facility was made available by the HSE with effect from 1st January 2014.
The VR Facility will be implemented on a rolling basis as appropriate areas and functions are identified. 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. The HSE will continue to operate the Targeted VR Facility as a key element in the reform of the health service. It will enable the HSE and other service providers to maximise the quantum and quality of services provided within the resources available.
I have no plans to introduce any other redundancy measures at this time.
Comments
evelyne phelan
Posted on 18 Nov 2015 5:24 pm (Report this comment)
I totally agree with you Jennifer, only HSE could purport to have a VR Scheme that achieves nothing re staff reductions. This is yet another scheme that does not work within HSE, NOT UNUSUAL.
If their staff questionnaire only received 8% respondents, and this was to all HSE staff, with regard to satisfaction and working conditions, I REST MY CASE.
Jennifer kennedy
Posted on 13 May 2015 9:37 pm (Report this comment)
Hi there, I'm very disappointed in this response. It's shows the lack of understanding and contradiction by Minister Varadkar within his remit as health minister to staff within the HSE. It highlights the power and attitude within grade structures where certain high grades have a right to make decisions that affect others to a serious extent. The very term redundancy implies leaving a post And not returning and under no circumstances do I take a decision like this lightly but no manager of any grade should have a right to block an individual from taking an offer - so targeted redundancies are nonsense and a fantasy that rarely happens I have applied and been refused. It's not for greed or handout out but for the purpose of moving home and others are in the same boat as myself
It's so contradictory as usual you say one thing then counteract it. It's states above the intent to reduce numbers probably in admin which is what I am and that the VR purpose is to achieve a permanent reduction in numbers yet your manager has to give permission and says no. They won't give this permission as it reduces a staff member. It's makes no sense To block an individual volunteering to go. The Hse has always operated this way - offer something to staff but then make it impossible for staff to access it But give the impression it's there to look good.. This is how everything operates in the HSE whether it's training, time off etc, shorter working year none of these are accessible so why offer them. Is it just to let the country think public sector workers have all these opportunities at their finger tip. It's very discriminative and not a good practice as it's very undermining to junior staff. It's all time wasting filling forms that come back refused and you get no where only frustrated.