Vol. 439 No. 4
147 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant professional posts in health services under the aegis of his Department; if he will give a breakdown of the information for each health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am not exactly sure what information the Deputy is seeking. It is assumed that he is referring to vacant posts which arise for the most part in the medical-dental, nursing and paramedical grade categories in the health services. Such information is not compiled as a matter of routine by my Department.
Under my Department's current personnel policy, it is the responsibility of each health agency to identify staffing needs. Proposals for the filling of new and replacement permanent posts are reviewed on a monthly basis by my Department. This review is undertaken having regard to service and personnel criteria in the context of the priority afforded to each post by the agency concerned and with particular regard to the availability of financial resources. Agencies may, within these parameters, fill replacement posts on a temporary basis. What information is available to my Department indicates that there is no significant number of posts left vacant by agencies in any grade category in the health service.
