Vol. 449 No. 8
55 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the number of temporary nurses employed at St. Mary's Psychiatric Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; the length of their respective temporary service; and when it is intended to make some or all of these positions permanent.[4499/95]
Limerick East): The Western Health Board is the body charged with statutory responsibility for the management of services, deployment of staff etc. at St. Mary's Psychiatric Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo.
The board has informed me that there are, at present, 23 temporary psychiatric nurses employed at the hospital with varying levels of intermittent service over the past ten years approximately. Discussions are currently taking place between the board and staff representatives in relation to the conversion of a number of these temporary posts to permanent status.
I should add that subject to observance of strict budgetary control of expenditure within their allocation, health agencies, including the Western Health Board, may now fill non-consultant replacement posts on a permanent basis without seeking my Department's sanction.
