Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
463. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a graduate social care worker scheme similar to that which was introduced for graduate nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14161/13]
View answerThe Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet its fiscal and budgetary targets. The health sector must make its contribution to that reduction.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform agreed to a nurse graduate initiative on the basis that it would deliver significant savings through displacement of agency and overtime expenditure.
I have no plans at present for similar graduate programmes for other health professions.
