Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 2

Written Answers. - Health Service Recruitment.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

301 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is an embargo on the various health boards in the recruitment of speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers, radiographers, occupational therapists, nurses registered with An Bord Altranas, and physiotherapists fully validated; if any of these positions are being filled by health boards or if there is a waiting list for any of these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10535/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

There is no embargo on recruitment imposed by my Department. The chief executive officer of each individual health board has responsibility for the management of the workforce, including the appropriate staffing mix and the precise grades of staff employed within that board, in line with service plan priorities, subject to overall employment levels remaining within the authorised ceiling. The Deputy may wish to note the increase of in excess of 28,000, 42%, in the approved employment ceiling for the health services since 1997 bringing the current authorised employment ceiling to 96,000, excluding home helps.