Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
557. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his views on the Budget 2024 requirement to cease recruitment for approved development posts and to make a statement on any planned further cessation of recruitment by his Department. [4158/24]
View answerThe HSE is experiencing success in improvements in recruitment and retention with 26,172 more staff working in our health service than there were at the beginning of 2020. That’s a 21.8% increase, meaning that for every 5 people working in the health service in 2020, we now have 6.
The reality is that the HSE had already exceeded its 2023 funded workforce targets, which was neither affordable or sustainable. In December 2023, there were 145,985 staff working in our health service. This was an increase of 8,239 since the start of January 2023. The HSE was funded to hire an additional 6,010 staff – meaning it was over by more than 2,200 WTE.
The Pay Numbers Strategy (PNS) is fully supported by the HSE, The Minister and the Department and will provide clarity on the HSE funded work force. The people recruited will be assigned to places where it is determined that such a post is critical to maintain safe and effective services.
With an effective PNS for 2024 the HSE can achieve a level of confidence in clarity of expectation about current services and future developments. Whereby replacement is normal within budget and funded levels and future efficiencies enable more allocations in the future to respond to need.
