Ivor Callely
Question:73 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the number of personnel vacancies in each health board due to insufficient funds available to fund such positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18862/96]
Written Answers. - Health Board Vacancies.
Limerick East): Current personnel policy for the health services provides that health agencies which are managing resources within their allocation may fill non-consultant replacement posts without recourse to the Department. Replacement consultant medical posts are subject to a separate procedure as they have to be reviewed in conjunction with Comhairle na nOspidéal, which is the body responsible for, inter alia, regulating the number and type of consultant medical staff.
When new service developments are approved, the costs of any additional staff are incorporated, as a matter of course, into the relevant agency's funding allocation.