David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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35. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the current situation with regard to the recruitment embargo on the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25743/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Funding has been made available for an additional 2,969 staff for 2024 (2,268 via DoH and 701 via DCEDIY).

I have approved the allocation of the 2024 New Development posts relevant to the health budget and plans to recruit these 2,268 additional staff are in motion. This will enable the HSE to set out its recruitment targets in each area for 2024 and inform decisions at local level on the filling of available posts, including recruitment of new staff, relocation of staff within the health service and appointments of those returning to work following career breaks. I have also approved the roll out of safe staffing through the conversion of 418 agency staff.

While discussions are ongoing I am, in the main, in agreement with the HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy (PNS). The outstanding issue relates to how the unfunded posts created through over recruitment are to be managed. I put options to Government at the end of March 2024 on how to resolve this and my Department, along with the HSE, will be in a position to finalise the PNS once a final decision is reached.