Richard Bruton
Question:122 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of public health nurse positions in each health board area in the years 1995 to 2001; and the number of vacant positions. [9144/01]
Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.
The number of public health nurse positions in each health board area in the years 1995 to 1999 was as follows:
|
Area |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
|
Eastern |
405 |
421 |
440 |
447 |
430 |
|
Midland |
101 |
101 |
100 |
104 |
97 |
|
Mid-Western |
109 |
105 |
108 |
111 |
115 |
|
North-Eastern |
118 |
107 |
106 |
119 |
134 |
|
North-Western |
101 |
100 |
98 |
102 |
107 |
|
South-Eastern |
146 |
146 |
154 |
151 |
173 |
|
Southern |
161 |
165 |
163 |
173 |
187 |
|
Western |
159 |
161 |
167 |
170 |
169 |
|
Total |
1,301 |
1,305 |
1,334 |
1,377 |
1,412 |
This information is drawn from the Department's personnel census which is taken at 31 December each year. The census for 2000 is being compiled at present.The number of vacancies in each area at present is as follows:
|
Health Board |
PHN Vacancies (Whole-Time Equivalent) |
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority |
n/a |
|
Midland Health Board |
9 |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
4 |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
9 |
|
North-Western Health Board |
2 |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
19 |
|
Southern Health Board |
19 |
|
Western Health Board |
0 |
Details of vacancies are not available from the Eastern Regional Health Authority. This information will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it comes to hand.
The Deputy may wish to note that the South Eastern Health Board has recently held interviews for the posts and candidates are being processed at the moment.
The Southern Health Board vacancies refer to new development posts which are awaiting clearance. However, the board currently has a public health nurse panel in place and this should be sufficient to fill vacancies.
In relation to the Western Health Board, please note that a number of posts are currently being filled on a temporary basis by registered public health nurses pending permanent appointment, and three posts are being filled in a temporary capacity by registered general nurses / midwives.