Liz McManus
Question:425 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an additional community welfare officer for Arklow, County Wicklow.
Written Answers. - Community Welfare Officer Appointment.
The identification of health service staffing needs for the area in question is a matter for the Eastern Health Board in the first instance. Proposals for the filling of new and replacement permanent posts are reviewed on a monthly basis by my Department. This review is undertaken having regard to service and personnel criteria in the context of the priority afforded to each post by the agency concerned and with particular regard to the availability of financial resources.
Under existing personnel policy it is, therefore, the responsibility of each health agency to submit prioritised manpower proposals to my Department, including details of service requirements and proposed funding arrangements.
Proposals in respect of the post referred to by the Deputy have not been included by the Eastern Health Board in its most recent manpower submission to my Department.