Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1498. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to ensure that all agency staff in hospital settings are receiving EU agency worker directive pay and that all back moneys due have been paid; if he will confirm that there will be no further withholding of pay due to staff, either Health Service Executive directly employed or agency recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38166/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1508. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if, as a result of budget constraints, some Health Service Executive staff are no longer rostered to work on weekends and that instead agency staff are hired to plug these gaps; and the cost or saving implications of measures such as these. [37045/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1551. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he expects agency costs to be reduced by 50% this year; the revised saving to be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37091/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1552. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he expects agency costs to be reduced by 50% this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37092/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1672. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will review the use of agency staff within the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37785/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1498, 1508, 1551, 1552 and 1672 together.
The HSE’s National Service Plan 2012 set a target reduction of up to 50% in expenditure on agency staffing. On the basis of the pattern of expenditure to July 2012, it is not expected that this level of reduction will be achieved. In the light of the current serious budgetary situation in the HSE, senior management have issued strict instructions on the use of agency staffing. Agency staff may be used only in the most exceptional of circumstances and when all alternative avenues have been exhausted. Such staff may only be engaged when signed off by identified senior management.
Following the enactment of the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act this year, the HSE provided guidance to public service employers on the Act, including the fact that the equal pay provisions of the Act have retrospective effect to 5th December 2011. All agency staff employed through agencies contracted by the HSE have now had their basic pay adjusted in accordance with the Act. The HSE and the contracted agencies are currently making arrangements for the calculation and payment of back money due to agency staff.
