Health Services Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020

Tuesday, 30 June 2020

Ceisteanna (505)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

505. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 439 of 9 June 2020, the reason the HSE is refusing to give permanent contracts to all fully qualified staff working in the health service; if the issue will be addressed; his views on a situation in which fully qualified staff working in the health service are not being given the option of permanent employment; and his further views on whether the refusal to employ these persons on a permanent basis represents a lost opportunity to properly staff the health service into the future. [13311/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It remains difficult to quantify what the public health sectors permanent workforce requirements will be going forward, as we are still in the process of managing the crisis.  As such, temporary employment contracts being utilised for the management of the pandemic may be reviewed at a later date as per the needs of the public health service, once the full impact the pandemic is having on the healthcare system is understood.  The service requirements and available resources will determine the extent to which permanent contracts can be offered for required roles.