Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2004
181 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the availability of adequate medical, nursing and consultant staffing levels to meet the requirements of all disciplines in the various hospitals throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1995/04]
View answerThe 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 that there has been an increase in the authorised level of employment of 27,985 since 1997, or almost 41%.
I have already provided a very comprehensive reply to this question raised by the Deputy on 9 October 2003 outlining staffing levels and measures taken to ensure adequate human resource management for the health services. Such initiatives continue to be implemented.
