Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
116. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that have been recruited by the HSE since he launched the winter plan; the total increase in HSE employment that this represents in net terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42346/20]
View answerThe Winter Plan was launched by the Health Service Executive on 24th September. The number of staff employed by the Health Service Executive is identified through the staff census, which is collected monthly, with October being the most recently available data.
From the end of September to the end of October, there has been a net increase of 92 WTE. However, it is important to note that the monthly change has been impacted by the changes in nursing and midwifery students moving from their current grade to the grade of Staff Nurse or Midwife, upon graduation. There is a delay between when student nurses and midwives leave the census as one grade and return as a different grade. This move takes place between September and year end.
In total, 1,030 student nurses and midwives will take up permanent contracts as Staff Nurses and Midwives by the end of this year. Excluding the WTE associated with pre-registration student nurses and midwives, there was a growth of 429 WTE in October.
In addition to this, there is recruitment taking place that is not reflected in current census figures. In October, 240 community swabbers were recruited. However, they are not currently captured in census figures due to a time delay. In addition, 322 contact tracers were recruited in October, but these staff are not included in the census as they are hired and employed through third party agencies.
