Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
789. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the plans that are in place to recruit extra staff for the HSE and Tusla to deal with the unprecedented level of demand for services if the estimated number of Ukrainian refugees arrive in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14523/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland as part of the EU response.
Very significant planning and preparatory work is taking place across Government to provide accommodation and other essential supports to those who have arrived here already, as well as the large numbers of further people expected to arrive. This work is taking place with the support of the Irish Red Cross and NGOs and charities across the country.
The Department of Health is liaising with other Government departments and agencies to provide humanitarian support for Ukrainian refugees. It is a priority for the Department and the HSE to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with appropriate health and social care services.
Ukrainians refugees arriving in Ireland will be granted temporary protection status. Under this measure, they will be considered ordinarily resident in Ireland for a limited time period and therefore will be entitled to access health care services, in line with other refugee groups and Irish citizens.
HSE is responsible for the provision of healthcare services in Ireland, working with the Department of Health, and planning is underway through existing processes to ensure healthcare needs will be met.
There has already been unprecedented health workforce expansion since December 2019, due to the additional pressures from the onset of COVID-19, and meeting the population’s needs long-term. There has been an increase of +12,506 WTE from end 2019 to end 2021 (+6,357 WTE in 2020 and +6,149 WTE in 2021), excluding those employed indirectly, in Contact Tracing and Vaccination staff.
Budget 2022 continues to fund a large expansion of the workforce, and secured funding for up to an additional 10,000 WTE, reflecting the ambition and desire to invest in our health services. The HSE have identified the more realistic recruitment target of 5,500 WTE alongside a more challenging ‘stretch’ target of 10,000 WTE set out in the 2022 National Service Plan. The upper affordable limit is ambitious and challenging to achieve, given the risks affecting labour market supply.
