Peadar Clohessy
Question:131 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Health the total number of temporary staff currently employed in the Mid-Western Health Board.
Written Answers. - Health Board Staffing.
My Department's health services personnel census records a total of 547 wholetime temporary staff (excluding locums) being employed by the Mid-Western Health Board at 31 December 1990. Validated data in respect of December 1991 will shortly be available. However, the board have indicated that the current level of wholetime temporary staff does not vary significantly from this figure.
Peadar Clohessy
Question:132 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Health the total number of vacant permanent posts for all grades of staff in the Mid-Western Health Board.
Under existing arrangements, each health agency has authority to fill vacancies in a temporary capacity as they arise from within an overall approved employment ceiling. The identification and filling of vacancies is, therefore, a matter for the Mid-Western Health Board in the first instance.
Proposals to fill replacement posts on a permanent basis are considered by my Department on a monthly basis having regard to service, personnel and financial criteria and the priority afforded to each post by the agency concerned. The Mid-Western Health Board in its most recent submission to my Department has sought approval to fill 22 replacement posts in a permanent capacity. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that 12 of these posts have now been approved for filling on a permanent basis by my Department.