Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 3

Written Answers. - Nursing Staff.

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The number of public health nurses, PHNs, employed in the health service on a whole time equivalent basis at 31 December 1998 is 1,489.07. The breakdown for each health board area is as follows:

Health Board	SuperintendentPHN	SeniorPHN	PHN
Eastern	9.00	25.50	447.09
Midland	2.00	2.00	104.05
Mid-Western	3.00	8.50	110.90
North-Eastern	3.00	6.00	118.89
North-Western	2.00	6.00	102.28
South-Eastern	4.00	8.00	150.99
Southern	2.00	20.00	172.64
Western	3.00	8.00	170.23

My Department is primarily involved in the development of health policy. The identification of staffing needs, including PHNs, is a matter in the first instance, for the relevant health boards.

However, I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the Labour Court's most recent recommendation, LCR 16330. As part of a programme of priority areas for implementing the Commission on Nursing Report, the priorities listed for PHNs are: that a Revised Strategy Statement on the role of the PHN should issue; that PHNs should receive greater support in their role in care of the elderly through the provision of support staff and other services where appropriate; and that PHNs should receive greater support in their role through the provision of new technology and where appropriate clerical support. It is my intention to see that the Labour Court recommendation is implemented in full.