Gay Mitchell
Question:121 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of vacant non-consultant hospital doctor posts at each hospital from 1 January to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9645/02]
Written Answers. - Hospital Staff.
The number of non-consultant hospital doctor posts in any particular hospital changes over time due to several factors. I have requested an up to date report from the Health Services Employers Agency with regard to the information requested by the Deputy and will provide same as soon as it is to hand.
Gay Mitchell
Question:122 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of nursing and midwife vacancies at each hospital from 1 January to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9646/02]
The information which the Deputy is seeking is not readily available in my Department. The HSEA undertakes a quarterly survey of nursing resources. The most recent survey was published in December 2001 and provides national data and analysis in relation to the nursing workforce on 31 October 2001.
This survey indicates that the recruitment of nurses continues to run strongly ahead of the numbers leaving with a net increase of 1,896 nurses in the system. While all sectors reported that recruitment was well ahead of resignations-retirement, employers reported that 1,322 vacancies existed at 31/10/01. These circumstances arise where the volume of additional nursing posts being created outstrips capacity to recruit. The combination of utilising agency nurses and overtime working provides the equivalent of around 1,150 full-time nurses to the service to cope with difficulties arising in the provision of services while employers continue the recruitment process to fill vacancies.
The figures for 31 January are currently being collated by the HSEA and should be published in the near future.