Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
677. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health what actions can be taken by his Department and the HSE to resolve as a matter of urgency the work to rule of nursing staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12794/16]
View answerI believe that the interests of patients are always best served through negotiation and by avoiding industrial action. I am pleased therefore that the INMO and the HSE engaged on the staffing issues of concern to the INMO at the Workplace Relations Commission last Wednesday, though agreement between the parties will require the development of proposals by management and further engagement. I am satisfied that the issues raised by the INMO can be best addressed through engagement at the WRC.
I do wish to confirm that there is no recruitment embargo at present. While there has to be compliance with national pay structures and management of employment numbers within budget in the HSE; there is scope for hospitals to continue to recruit, particularly across key departments, such as ICU, theatre and Emergency Departments. During the 15 month period from January 2015, the numbers employed in acute hospitals increased by 3,500 (WTEs) with nursing numbers up by over 1,700 (WTEs) during the same timeframe.
I recognise the difficulties and challenges that are currently faced by hospital staff, including nurses and midwives, in delivering care. It is my intention to continue to grow the health budget as the economy improves and to obtain the resources necessary to improve working conditions for front line staff and to enable us deliver the level of service that we all want to provide to our patients.
