Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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578. To ask the Minister for Health the shortfall in nursing staff in each of the community hospitals in County Kerry, in the St. Columbanus nursing home and in Kerry General Hospital; his plans to restore staff numbers to appropriate levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28540/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in the last budget, 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.

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the nursing numbers you have sought. 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.