Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2005
54 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of administrative posts created in preparation for and in the implementation of the establishment of the HSE; the number of front line therapy and allied medical vacancies currently in the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4244/05]
View answerMy Department approved a total of nine top level management posts, comprising a chief executive officer and eight national director posts, in the Health Service Executive, HSE. The national director posts have, subsequently, been filled either on a substantive or acting basis. An interim chief executive officer of the executive has also been appointed. My Department is currently considering proposals from the HSE for the creation of four further senior positions at the HSE corporate level. No further administrative posts have been created, to date, in preparation for and in the implementation of the establishment of the HSE.
My Department does not maintain records on vacancy levels in the health service. Responsibility for human resource planning, recruitment and the monitoring and filling of vacancies rests with the Health Service Executive, HSE, which was established on 1 January 2005 under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the interim chief executive officer of the HSE to investigate the matter raised regarding front line vacancies and to reply directly to the Deputy.
