Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1665. To ask the Minister for Health if he will commit to removing any recruitment embargo for front-line medical staff, whether in name or in practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1953/25]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The recruitment Pause ended in July 2024.

As of the end of November 2024, there were 148,111 WTE staff working in our health service (including Disabilities).

While the increase in our workforce has been incredibly positive and has enabled significant improvements in service delivery and reductions in waiting times for patients, it is important that the HSE operate within budgeted levels and that prudent controls are in place to ensure the workforce growth is managed in an affordable and sustainable manner.

Following agreement in relation to the Pay and Number Strategy for 2024 there is now a new approved maximum Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) limit for all Hospitals and CHOs within the HSE of 129,753 (excludes Disability) in 2024. The newly agreed limits removes the obstacle to normal recruitment and replacement in the remainder of the workforce.

The Health regions and National services have been provided with their own WTE limit in which to operate and each Regional Executive Officer/National Director will have the ability to prioritise, recruitment and replacement within their approved number as appropriate.

- This is a new operational model which will enable service areas to prioritise service provision and maintain financial controls within each region.

- A Health Region or national service will be able to prioritise filling vacancies that may arise within the allocation. They can also re-prioritise should they wish and remain adaptive, within overall national policy and guidance.

- The allocation will include a limit on agency and overtime spend to accompany the WTE allocation.

Any vacancies that remain unfilled from previous years will need to be assessed by the relevant REO/National Director and can be prioritised for filling within the agreed WTE allocation.

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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1666. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider provision of accommodation for junior medical personnel, particularly in Dublin and areas where the cost of accommodation is high; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1954/25]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that there are no plans to consider the provision of accommodation for any grade of staff employed in the public health sector.