David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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612. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 16,000 healthcare staff who have been or will be hired in 2020 as outlined in budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31253/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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HSE recruitment from December to August has provided an additional 4,888 healthcare WTE. A further 4,986 WTE are anticipated to be retained by the end of 2020.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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613. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 16,000 healthcare staff who will be hired in 2021 as outlined in budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31254/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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5,864 healthcare WTE shall be retained in 2021. This is further to the 9,874 WTE expected to be in place by the end of 2020.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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614. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 16,000 healthcare staff who are expected to be offered full-time HSE contracts as outlined in budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31255/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is envisioned that the new hires in 2021 will be hired on permanent HSE contracts. Agency staff may be used temporarily to fill shortages, but we aim to ultimately have these positions filled on a permanent basis.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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615. To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 16,000 healthcare staff who are expected to be agency staff as outlined in budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31256/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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For the staffing increase in 2021, the aim is that the entirety of the positions announced will be recruited through HSE contracts. It is recognised that there may be logistical issues in recruiting and placing these staff in the timeframe needed, and that agency staff may be needed to fill the gaps until permanent employees are in position. However, the Department of Health is working closely with the HSE on this to ensure this recruitment is achieved and that these employees will be recruited on permanent, HSE contracts by the end of 2021.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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616. To ask the Minister for Health the expected occupational breakdown of the 16,000 healthcare staff that the health workforce will increase by as outlined in budget 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31257/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The occupational breakdown will be designed to meet the needs of the various initiatives and strategies of the health service in 2020 and 2021. The full breakdown of staff across categories and grades will be decided in the coming weeks between the Department and the HSE when developing the National Service Plan.