David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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303. To ask the Minister for Health the vacancies which exist within his Department; the length of these vacancies; when he expects these vacancies to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60913/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department’s staffing level as of 31 October 2021 stood at 691.69 WTE. This is slightly in excess of the Department's planned employment ceiling for 2021, due to particular ongoing work pressures associated with the public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vacancies can exist across the various grades in the Department at different times due to ongoing retirements, resignations, promotions and mobility both internally and across the Civil Service. Vacancies or new posts in the various business units of the Department are considered on an ongoing basis and filled on the basis of priority business needs and subject to the availability of suitable candidates. Posts prioritised are filled in line with centrally agreed sequencing through intake from open and interdepartmental Public Appointments Service panels, internal promotional panels, Civil Service mobility schemes for different grades and, where appropriate, secondments from across the civil service and from the wider health sector for particular specialist posts. Additional staff to fill various roles have confirmed start dates and will commence employment with the Department throughout the months of December and January.

The Department continues to manage its workforce to fill vacancies on a prioritised basis as they arise.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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304. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for reconfiguring the Sláintecare implementation office; the vacancies in this office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60914/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the implementation of Sláintecare projects is now devolved to a senior leadership team within my Department. To ensure that implementation is fully embedded across the Department and that the drive for universal healthcare across both the Department of Health and the HSE, a new Programme Board has been established. Reporting to me, the Board is co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Department and the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE and will also comprise senior members of the Department’s Management Board and the HSE’s Executive Management Teams. It is expected to have its first meeting next week.