Vol. 538 No. 1
189 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of staff being sought by each hospital in the Western Health Board area; the length of time these requests are awaiting Ministerial approval; when he expects to sanction some of these appointments; and the number of appointments made over the past two years. [17432/01]
From January 2001, revised and more flexible procedures for approving overall employment levels in the health services have been put in place. These new arrangements, linked directly to the health service agencies' service plans, delegate greater responsibility to health board management in respect of employment levels, encouraging them to plan and manage their staff resources consistent with their service plan. Therefore, decisions in relation to the number of staff required in each service area is primarily a matter for each of the health boards or authorities.
On this basis, I have referred the matter to the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board for direct reply to the Deputy.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that between 31 December 1999 and 2000 employment levels in the Western Health Board region increased from 7453 to 8473 – 13.7% – wholetime equivalents.
