asked the Minister for Health his views on whether 96 beds in Ennis general hospital, County Clare provide the minimum level of acute health care acceptable to him for the people of Clare and that any reduction will put lives at risk; and if he will direct the Chief Executive Officer and members of the Mid-Western Health Board (a) not to accept the redundancy applications of the consultants and nurses there and (b) to withdraw the Health Act notice affecting the ten temporary whole-time nurses too who are eight years working there since they would then be acting illegally.
Written Answers. - Ennis General Hospital.
101.
The level of beds to be provided at the general hospital in Ennis is a matter in the first instance for the Mid-Western Health Board. The appropriate number of beds depends on many local factors such as the population served, the range of specialties provided and the links which Ennis hospital has with the Regional Hospital in Limerick.
I understand that the board does not propose to accept the redundancy application from the consultant and that no notices have issued to any of the temporary nurses at the hospital.
102.
asked the Minister for Health his views on the proposal of the Chief Executive Officer of the Mid-Western Health Board to act under section 31 of the Health Act who in so doing proposes to let go all temporary staff in the area which in effect means redundancy for ten temporary wholetime nurses in Ennis general hospital, County Clare resulting in the closure of a 26 bedded ward; if this is in keeping with the objectives set out in the Programme for National Recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I understand that the Mid-Western Health Board have issued notice to all temporary staff with less than two years service. The temporary nurses employed at Ennis general hospital all have more than two years service and have not been given notice.
Management's existing rights in relation to the termination of employment are not circumscribed by the terms of the Programme for National Recovery.