Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
95. Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health the alternatives to agency staff available to him in view of the significant cost increases in using agency staff in the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36492/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the Health Sector which provides 24/7 care 365 days of the year, flexibility is required that allows the use of overtime and agency staff to meet agreed and approved service levels. Recourse to overtime or agency is necessary for a variety of reasons including, for example, over-runs in operating theatres, sudden increases in service demand, to cover for sick leave, annual leave and maternity leave. However, the HSE is focused on reducing current levels of agency usage recognising that the increase in agency spending to date this year, up 42% to the end of July compared with 2013, is unsustainable.
In order to mitigate the impact on front-line services of the reduction in employment numbers that has been required, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. Agency staff cannot be used to substitute for staff losses as a result of the need to reduce health sector employment. The revised working arrangements provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement are a pivotal element in this regard. The Agreement has made a number of measures available to the HSE to reduce agency costs while maintaining existing service levels. These include the Graduate Nurse Initiative, the Support Staff Intern Scheme and the additional employee hours made available to the HSE due to increased working hours.
In addition, while it is necessary to continue to control public sector employment, arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of staff where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement. The scope for offering temporary contracts to fill posts on a temporary basis where it is established that there is a service need and that savings can be achieved by direct employment compared with agency usage is also under consideration.
