Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 March 2014
440. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health to advise how the number of hours worked by agency nurses and level of spending on agency nursing in the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, compares to employed staff who worked the same hours at the hospital in 2013. [10665/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra441. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce agency spend at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore; and how he will implement them. [10666/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together.
While the focus under the Public Service Agreement and the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) is on increased productivity and reform, additional nursing support is being made available throughout the system.
In its Service Plan for 2014 the HSE undertakes to minimise the instances of overtime and agency. It is envisaged that the additional hours element of the HRA, the Graduate Nurse Programme and the Support Staff Intern Scheme, coupled with redeployment will deliver major savings in the overall pay bill while maintaining quality and service levels.
The increase in nursing hours available under the HRA equates to nearly 1,400 additional nurses. Nearly 500 nurses and midwives have commenced employment in recent months on the graduate scheme, with over 200 others currently going through the recruitment process.
In relation to specific queries regarding the Midland Regional Hospital, I have arranged for the question to be forwarded to the HSE who will respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
