Written answers

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Department of Health

Health Services Staff

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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323. To ask the Minister for Health when the embargo will be lifted on the hiring of speech and language therapists; the number of jobs currently vacant in this field; of those, the number that are permanent positions or contract positions; in respect of speech and language courses that are run in our universities, the number of this year's graduates who will be employed by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27142/15]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Following the downturn in the economy, there was a requirement to reduce staff numbers and maximise savings in the public service. The HSE introduced an embargo on recruitment in 2007, and this was followed by the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public sector in 2008. However, the HSE has had the capacity to recruit where it is necessary to deliver front-line services and to fund development posts, including speech and language therapists.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in Budget 2014 that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. The change from the application of a rigid employment control framework, with its particular focus on a moratorium on recruitment and compliance with employment ceilings and targets, to one operating strictly within allocated pay frameworks will allow for recruitment where it is determined that this can achieve more economical service delivery.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has advised that the HSE and Department of Health will be required to submit a Pay and Numbers Strategy as part of the revised arrangements. The HSE are currently finalising this submission. Pending approval by DPER, the existing arrangements will continue to apply.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the other aspects of his question. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

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