Liz McManus
Question:289 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing vacancies, including a breakdown by health board area and by specialty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24968/01]
Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.
The Health Service Employers Agency, HSEA, undertook a survey of nursing vacancies on 31 July 2001. I am arranging for a copy of this survey to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
The survey contains a summary of the vacancy position in each health board area. It found that a total of 4,653 nurses were recruited in the year ending 31 July 2001 and that a total of 2,951 nurses resigned, retired or moved to another employer in the same period. Accordingly, the recruitment of nurses continues to run strongly ahead of the numbers leaving with a net increase of 1,702 nurses in the system.
The total number of nursing vacancies reported was 1,251. This is a decrease of 5% when compared with the previous survey. A total of 416.75 agency nurses were employed every day during the month of July 2001. Excluding three health boards for which figures were not available, it was reported that nationally a total of 2,895.05 hours overtime by nurses was used each day during the month of July 2001. This equates with 520 full-time nurses per week.