Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
151. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent resignations from senior posts across the health service in the HSE and his Department; his views on whether this represents a systemic problem within the management levels of the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37518/22]
View answerI wish to acknowledge the valuable role senior managers play in our health system.
The Health Service consists of the Civil Service and the Public Service. The role of the Civil Service is to support the Government of the day to develop and implement its policies. The Public Servants employed by the HSE deliver the service to the citizens of Ireland. There are a great range of opportunities available to those working within the Health Service which provide employees with the opportunity to work on initiatives that will help Ireland respond to the challenges of a changing world. The Health Service has a diverse and inclusive workforce, with ample opportunities for progression and upskilling.
There are a huge variety of roles to suit professionals at all levels of skills and experience. In any organisation one can expect a turnover of staff for a variety of reasons. The recovery in the economy has led to increased opportunities for many organisations to attract senior staff from both the private and public sector. The Health Service has seen recent resignations from senior posts for a variety of reasons such as wishing to spend more time with family or a wish to self-develop by moving to a new organisation. These are normal movements in organisations across the world.
As with any organisation when a staff member moves on, either for career progression or to spend more time with family, the objectives of the organisation remain and it is important for the organisation to go to the market to fill the vacant position with the best talent available for the post. I’m pleased to say that some posts have been filled already and process of filling the soon to be vacant post is in progress.
Staff movement is a normal part of business in any Government Department. It is not particularly unusual for staff to resign from the Department and they do so for a variety of reasons. There have been two recent resignations from senior posts in my Department, both from members of staff who have had considerable years of service. It is a personal matter for any individual as to their reasons for leaving the Department, whether on retirement or to take up a different post elsewhere.
