Vol. 458 No. 5
71 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health the criteria governing the reappointment of nursing staff who are returning from career breaks; if it is appropriate that returning nursing staff should be appointed to positions which have been advertised, where interviews have been held and panels formed, without having taken part in this selection process. [17153/95]
Limerick East): The criteria governing the reappointment of nursing staff who are returning from career breaks are the same as for other health service staff. Staff on career breaks are required to give at least three months notice of their intention to return to work. The person returning from the career break is then entitled to the first suitable, fillable vacancy which arises following the due date of his or her return. In the event that such a vacancy does not arise in the employing agency on the termination of the period of the career break, the person is guaranteed re-employment within the health services within twelve months of the date which had been notified as the desired date of return. In instances where a return to duty does not coincide with a vacancy in the employee's previous grade, the person could be offered, on a temporary basis, a lower graded post, with appropriate lower graded pay, pending the occurrence of a vacancy in the grade formerly held.
Employing agencies must bear in mind this obligation to re-employ persons within 12 months of the expiry of their career break when filling posts in a permanent capacity, particularly in grades and in agencies where there is not a high level of staff turnover. Their recruitment process with regard to the advertising of vacancies takes this into account.
72 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health, in view of the fact that a nursing officer position at Saint Loman's Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, was filled by a deputy nursing officer from the same hospital, the reason the consequential deputy nursing officer vacancy was not filled. [17154/95]
Limerick East): The Midland Health Board is responsible for the management of services and deployment of staff at St. Loman's Psychiatric Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath. Current personnel policy for the health service provides that health agencies which are managing resources within allocation may fill non-consultant replacement posts, including nursing vacancies, without recourse to my Department.
