Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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378. To ask the Minister for Health if an embargo on the recruitment of nurses is in place; the number of overseas nurses recruited to University Hospital Galway to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52832/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the HSE that there is no national recruitment embargo or moratorium in place.  There is however, a priority requirement for all HSE services to maintain, or get to, an affordable staffing level that is sustainable in 2019 and 2020, while also prioritising the delivery of safe services.  

In light of this, the HSE have introduced control measures relating to staffing and recruitment to ensure that they live within the available resources provided to them. This does mean that in some Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations the HSE may have paused non-critical replacement posts, however the HSE report that there is on-going capacity for recruitment of newly funded posts and replacement of critical clinical posts within frontline services throughout this period.  

With regards to the number of overseas nurses recruited to University Hospital Galway this year to date, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. 

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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379. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure positions are available for graduate nurses in University Hospital Galway; his views on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52833/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.