Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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458. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 778 of 21 October 2025, the number of posts required to achieve baseline implementation of phases 1 and 2 of the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix (details supplied); to clarify the meaning of baseline in this context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60782/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix is a systematic, evidence-based approach to determine safe staffing levels and skill mix for nursing and healthcare assistant roles. It is determined by patient need and demonstrates impact through the measurement of a range of outcomes. Phase 1 focused on Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings and Phase 2 focused on Adult Emergency Care Settings. National implementation of these policies is a priority and has received significant Government investment since 2020.

Baseline implementation refers to the initial calculation of staffing requirements per acute hospital using the Framework methodology. It is estimated using an agreed Nursing Hours per Patient Day for Phase 1 of the Framework in acute inpatient wards. In relation to Phase 2 of the Framework, baseline implementation refers to implementing the WTE required by all adult emergency departments (EDs) using the assessments based on 2021 Emergency Departments’ patient presentations.

To date approximately 1,700 WTE additional have been recruited to achieve baseline implementation of Phases 1 and 2 of the Framework with an estimated 390 WTE outstanding. The HSE have advised that recruitment completion is expected by end of December 2025.