Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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64. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to ensure that staffing levels in public hospitals are adequate in view of the fact that existing pay and conditions are failing to retain the necessary numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40919/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The recruitment and retention of hospital staff is a priority for the HSE, my Department, and for me. As set out in its Statement of Strategy 2016-2019,my Department has committed to developing a national strategic framework for health workforce planning, in collaboration with Government Departments and agencies. During 2016, my Department convened a Cross-sectoral Steering Group to develop a national strategic framework for health workforce planning. A consultation draft of the framework was completed in mid-2017 and was subject to a stakeholder consultation process over the summer. Submissions received as part of this consultation process have been considered by the Steering Group and the draft Framework has been updated accordingly. I expect to receive the final version of the Framework shortly, accompanied by a high-level implementation plan.

It is Government policy to move to a consultant delivered service. While there are difficulties in filling posts in certain specialties and locations, the number of consultants employed in the public health system continues to increase year on year. At the end of July 2017 there were 2,892 whole time equivalents, an increase of 105 compared with the end July 2016 number and an increase of over 700 in the past decade. The HSE has been focused on addressing issues associated with the creation and approval of consultant posts and successful recruitment. It is now giving effect to the report 'Towards Successful Consultant Recruitment, Appointment and Retention', completed in December 2016. The number of NCHDs has also increased significantly given service demands and the need to progress compliance with the provisions of the European Working Time Directive. Similar to consultants, recruitment to certain specialties, e.g. surgery and paediatrics, is challenging. At the end of July 2017 there were 5,962 whole time equivalent NCHDs, an increase of 178 compared with the end of July 2016 number and an increase of over 1,100 in the past decade.

Recruitment of nurses and midwives is a key priority this year. The HSE has been focused on increasing nursing numbers over the past two years as the budgetary position has improved. The number of nursing and midwifery staff stood at 36,278 in August 2017; this is an increase of 739 whole time equivalents in the past 12 months, notwithstanding intense global competition for our nurses and midwives. The HSE has developed a fully funded workforce plan for an additional 1,224 nursing/midwifery posts in 2017 as provided for in the agreement reached with the nursing unions last February on recruitment and retention. These posts are being filled through a broad range of initiatives including the conversion of agency employed staff into HSE direct employees, national recruitment campaigns and offering all graduating nurses and midwives full time contracts. Key measures to retain nursing and midwifery staff include the creation of new development specialist posts, a unified approach to recruitment across hospitals and offering nurses and midwives improved educational opportunities and career pathways.

The Report of the Public Service Pay Commission identified problems in recruitment and retention in specific and specialist groups that are internationally in demand particularly in the health sector Following the ratification of the Public Service Stability Agreement, the Commission will now carry out a more comprehensive examination of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in those sectors and employment streams where difficulties are clearly evident. The Commission is committed to reporting on medical and nursing grades in 2018. The outcome of its assessment will be subject to discussions between the relevant parties.