Vol. 475 No. 7
67 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health why there is such a long delay in opening a health facility (details supplied) in County Longford which will be administered from St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; if he will confirm that agreements on staffing levels have been in place for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5794/97]
Limerick East): The Midland Health Board is responsible for the delivery of health services, including mental health services, in its functional area. The board is developing an extensive range of community mental health facilities, including community residential accommodation, in line with a key recommendation of the report on the development of mental health services, Planning for the Future which was published in 1984 and which has been accepted by successive Governments.
As part of its ongoing commitment to this process the board acquired a former convent in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, which is to be used as an additional high-support community residence for the Longford-Westmeath catchment area.
The issue of staffing levels at the new residence is a matter for determination by the board and I understand that since acquiring the premises the board has been in consultation with staff associations representing nursing and other staff with a view to securing co-operation and agreement on the opening of the facility. I am informed by the board that, with the exception of nursing staff, agreement has been reached with all other staff on staffing levels and rosters for the proposed new residence. The board is in consultation with nursing staff representatives on the issue of nurse staffing levels and these consultations are ongoing.
68 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of temporary nursing staff employed at St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar; if he will confirm that some staff are required to do many hours overtime; if this can be justified in view of the fact that vacancies exist and a panel is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5795/97]
Limerick East): The Midland Health Board is responsible for the management of services and deployment of staff at St. Loman's Psychiatric Hospital, Mullingar. Current personnel policy for the health services provides that health agencies which are managing resources within their allocations may fill non-consultant posts without recourse to the Department.
A total of 27 temporary nurses are available on a panel which serves St. Loman's Psychiatric Services and Mental Handicap Services at Lough Sheever Centre, Mullingar. Sixteen of the nurses on this panel provide services in the psychiatric services.
No staff, permanent or temporary, are currently required to work overtime at St. Loman's Hospital.
As previously stated to the Deputy, a panel for the filling of vacant nursing posts in the Longford/Westmeath Mental Health Services has been extended to 4 April 1997. However, it has been agreed between nursing unions and management, in the context of the recent nursing dispute, that temporary employment in the service should be reduced to the minimum level consistent with operational requirements. Under the revised offer arising from the recent Labour Court recommendation, 2,000 nursing posts are to be converted from temporary to whole-time permanent status by means of confined competition. This factor is currently being taken into consideration in the filling of further permanent nursing posts.
