Health Service Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 February 2012

Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Questions (184)

Gerry Adams

Question:

186 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 133 of 19 October 2011, if an embargo remains in place in respect of two posts in the National Counselling Service in the Health Service Executive in counties Louth, Cavan and Monaghan; when he expects the positions to be filled; if the promised review was carried out in January 2012 and the outcome of same; if the temporary staff who were covering the two posts have finished up; if he will give an update on the waiting list times in the National Counselling Service in RIAN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11745/12]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

The current Employment Control Framework for the health sector gives the HSE some flexibility in relation to filling posts in order to protect frontline services in so far as possible while still achieving the required staff reduction targets. In addition, the Public Service Agreement allows the HSE to redeploy staff based on service need.

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.