Written Answers. - Health Service Recruitment.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
25
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the recruitment drive by his Department or agencies of the Department to fill vacancies that exist in the health services; the success or otherwise of recruitment overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28752/00]
The health boards outside of Dublin indicate that they are generally able to recruit staff.
A survey of nursing vacancies of 30 September 2000 was carried out by the health service employers' agency. Employers were asked how many nurses they recruited in the year ending 30 September 2000 and how many nurses resigned or retired in the same period. In the voluntary hospital sector, a total of 1,284 nurses were recruited and a total of 1,334.5 nurses resigned or retired. For purposes of analysis, cases where temporary contracts have been completed would fall under resignation or retirement. In the health board sector outside Dublin recruitment runs strongly ahead of numbers leaving. Accordingly, in national terms, the numbers recruited exceed those resigning or retiring. It should also be noted that recruitment of personnel is carried out on an ongoing basis in most agencies, and the level of vacancies fluctuates accordingly. At any given time, significant numbers of personnel would be in the process of being appointed by employers or moving from one employment to another.
As part of the same survey, employers were asked how many nurses they recruited from abroad during the year 30 September 1999 to 30 September 2000. The total number was reported as 336. Additional information provided indicated that while several employers had successfully recruited abroad the individuals involved had not yet commenced work or were awaiting clearance by An Bord Altranais. The full impact of recruitment campaigns is, thus, not reflected in the report. However, I understand that these nurses are now beginning to come on stream. The level of vacancies in Beaumont Hospital, for example, has halved since the survey was carried out.
I would also like to point out that some health boards have been actively trying to recruit junior hospital doctors from various countries and have been attending medical employment fairs to encourage junior hospital doctors to work here in Ireland. A delegation recently visited India and Pakistan to recruit a small number of doctors in anaesthetics into training posts in Ireland, and to promote Ireland as a destination for further training for doctors who are seeking to improve their training. As a result, 59 candidates have been offered positions in Ireland. Arrangements are being put in place so that these doctors will be able to fill the posts early in 2001.
