Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2015
436. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if the salary of a person who is on a career break from the Health Service Executive may be used to fill that person's position on a temporary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18144/15]
View answer437. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if the position of a person in the Health Service Executive who is on maternity leave may be filled temporarily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18145/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 together.
There was a requirement to reduce public service numbers and maximise savings in the public service from the time of the downturn in the economy. The HSE introduced an embargo on recruitment in 2007, and this was followed by the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public sector in 2008. The HSE has had the capacity to recruit where it is necessary, to deliver front-line services.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in Budget 2015 that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. The change from the application of a rigid employment control framework, with its particular focus on a moratorium on recruitment and compliance with employment ceilings and targets, to one operating strictly within allocated pay frameworks will allow for recruitment where it is determined that this can achieve more economical service delivery.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) has advised that the HSE and Department of Health are required to submit a 2015 Pay and Numbers Strategy, outlining planned pay expenditure and staff numbers. Following approval of the strategy by DPER, a letter of delegated sanction will be issued. As this process is still ongoing, the existing moratorium and Employment Control Framework arrangements continue to apply.
