Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 December 2007
100 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate the discrepancy between the statement issued in Dáil Éireann on 29 November 2007 and the letter received from the Health Service Executive on 21 November 2007 (details supplied); if she will clarify the position of the provision of occupational therapists in the Kildare/west Wicklow areas of the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33037/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to information provided by the Health Service Executive on 29 November 2007 in the context of an Adjournment Debate on occupational therapy services in the Kildare/West Wicklow area, there were 8.5 vacant posts in the occupational therapy service in this area, including two maternity leave vacancies. According to clarification provided by the HSE to my Department yesterday (5 December), there remains 8.5 vacancies — one of which is a maternity leave vacancy and one of which is a clinical placement post.
The current recruitment pause is a temporary measure initiated as part of the HSE financial break-even plan for 2007. The HSE recognises that there are some circumstances where appointment of staff may be necessary in frontline services. Accordingly, a process has been put in place to evaluate, monitor and approve requests for derogation from the general recruitment pause. A group has been established which meets regularly to consider such applications. The HSE has confirmed that approval by way of derogation has been given to fill 3 maternity leave posts, one current and two in January 2008 in the occupational therapy service in Kildare/West Wicklow.
