Vol. 566 No. 1
525 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason posts in the health service central sterile sterilising department, which have been advertised in 2001 as positions with promotional prospects in the South-Eastern Health Board, have not been filled; and if he accepts that this has led to low morale in the health service, particularly in light of shortages in this area. [12184/03]
526 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason that adequate resources in the South Eastern Health Board area are being allocated to administration while essential services for the well-being of patient care and non-nursing posts are not being filled. [12185/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
Responsibility for the management of the workforce in the South Eastern Health Board, including the determination of the appropriate staffing mix and the precise grades of staff employed, is a matter for the chief executive officer. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matters raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.
