Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
699. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of fully-qualified nurses employed in the public health sector in each of the past five years to date; the extent if any to which resignations, retirements or movement to the private sector has affected staff levels in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23015/13]
View answerThe total number of fully-qualified nurses employed in the public health sector in each of the past five years at end-March (latest figure available) is as set out in the following table:
|
Date |
end-March 2009 |
end-March 2010 |
end-March 2011 |
end-March 2012 |
end-March 2013 |
|
Total WTE excl. Career Break |
37,696 |
36,891 |
36,106 |
34,296 |
33,997 |
The 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 HSE may continue to recruit nurses and midwives in exceptional circumstances where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement and this can be accommodated within the budgetary and staff number limits in place. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the more detailed aspects of the question.
