Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 26 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 7

Written Answers. - Health Board's Job-Sharing Arrangements.

Séamus Pattison

Ceist:

95 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to the severe unemployment crisis, he will outline the proposals, if any, he will implement to encourage the health boards to provide additional and more long term job sharing arrangements in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department is curently initiating a review of the job-sharing scheme with health agencies to assess the potential for additional job-sharing opportunities throughout the health services. The terms of the job-sharing scheme provide that its implementation is a matter for each health agency but must of necessity have regard to the exigencies of the service in each case.

A measure of the success of the scheme, in providing increased employment opportunities in the health service is the significant increase in the number of staff availing of the scheme since 1987. This trend is illustrated in the following data:
Number Job-Sharing in the Health Services

March 1987

497

December 1988

1,474

December 1989

2,125

December 1990

2,621

Figures in relation to the December 1991 Health Personnel Census are not yet available but initial indicators point to a further increase in the numbers availing of the scheme.
I would, in conclusion, like to assure the Deputy that I will do all in my power to encourage health agencies to use the scheme to the fullest extent possible to provide for additional job-sharing arrangements.
Barr
Roinn