Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Castlebar (Mayo) Hospital.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

89 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health the number of part time and full time temporary nurses in St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo; the length of their service; and when he will sanction their appointment to full time positions. [4330/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The Western Health Board is responsible for the management of services and deployment of staff at St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo. Current personnel policy for the health service provides the health agencies which are managing resources within allocation may fill non-consultant replacement posts, including nursing vacancies, without recourse to the Department.

The number of temporary nurses employed in St. Mary's Hospital varies but would normally average ten. The employment of many of the temporary nurses has been intermittent and their length of service is therefore difficult to quantify. The majority of them have been employed for between one and seven years in aggregate.

As part of an agreement concluded between local management and staff in March 1995, a total of nine permanent staff nurse posts were filled by nurses who had previously been employed in a temporary capacity. Having regard to service requirements and current staffing arrangements, the board has no proposals to make further permanent appointment in this context. A relief panel comprising 23 temporary nurses has been established, and temporary and locum staff are drawn from this panel as required. A rota giving equitable employment opportunity to all those on the panel is also in place. Temporary staff who meet the necessary eligibility requirements may also compete for posts advertised in open competition.