The Taoiseach has stated on a number of occasions that he should be congratulated on the state of the health services. On the last day of some accountability in this forum, what are the Government's proposals in respect of front-line staff in the health services? The Taoiseach may recall that on 31 March, a document issued and signed by the director of human resources for the HSE indicated that as a result of a Government directive up to 1,000 job cuts would have to take place by the end of 2007. The directive, referenced 04/2002, stated that 29 jobs would be cut from corporate functions, 959 from hospital or primary and community case services. In that figure, Cork University Hospital will lose 25 staff and the maternity unit at the hospital, which is already understaffed, will lose six staff. Even the hospital closest to the Taoiseach's heart, the Mater, will lose 23 staff and the hospital for sick children will lose 13. On the radio the Taoiseach confirmed that the Government did not mind if these were front-line staff or not. The Minister for Health and Children stated that the current level of services would have to be delivered by 1,000 fewer staff. If we have a world class health service, why could we not reform this to protect front-line staff, given the massive administrative bureaucracy that exists in the HSE?

I and other Members know of front-line staff, particularly nurses, who had scheduled holidays but were called back because staff were not available to cover them. This is a real problem. Did the Government direct the HSE to reduce staff by 1,000? The directive states: "As part of the Government's decision to authorise a new approved employment ceiling, there is a requirement on the HSE to effect a 1,000 whole-time equivalent reduction by the end of 2007." What is in store for front-line staff — nurses, ambulance drivers, and doctors as distinct from the massive bureaucratic bulge that exists in the central portion of the HSE? Is the directive correct and is it the consequence of a Government decision that 1,000 whole-time equivalent staff are to be cut by the end of the year?

Complements of staff and existing approved ceilings of staff are decided at the beginning of each year across the health service and the public sector. The HSE must work within the figures but it decides how this will be broken down in its budgets under the normal headings of consultants, junior doctors, nurses and allied staff, paramedical staff and administrative and catering staff. The figure for last year in the Health Service Executive was 108,000 whole-time equivalents. There were no cutbacks in the health service. The staff were sanctioned subject to certain conditions, as happens in every sector, across Departments and local authorities. Last year there was an increase of 10,000 on the existing approved ceiling and this year is the same. The health sector is substantially over expenditure for the first half of the year across most sub-headings. Perhaps the HSE is operating what it calls a reduction on what it has allowed to be approved but it is certainly not under the ceiling. At the end of 2006, the ceiling was 108,000 whole-time equivalents. That represents an increase of 10,450 staff over the existing approved ceiling. This year is running at the same level. There are no cutbacks in the Department of Health and Children. The Department has conveyed sanction for a revised employment ceiling, which it does every year, but it certainly is not showing any reduction; it is showing a substantial increase.

The responsibility for the health service lies with the Government, not with the HSE. I have here the document from the Health Service Executive which states clearly there is a requirement on the HSE to effect a 1,000 whole-time equivalent reduction by the end of 2007. On 22 May 2007 the Minister for Health and Children, who obviously cannot be here because of her family bereavement, agreed with an interviewer that current services would be delivered by 1,000 fewer employees. She agreed that statement was correct. The Taoiseach stated on the following day, 23 May 2007, this was the first he had heard about this cutback. He continued to state the document referred to by the HSE had or has no status and was irrelevant. When it suits the Government, it states it is a function for the HSE to determine certain matters.

The Taoiseach is aware also that the finance section of the HSE comprises more than 1,000 staff. A study of that function found at least 380 of those jobs were superfluous. There has been an orgy of promotions within the administrative ranks of the HSE. At a time when the Taoiseach will not be present in the House again until 26 September, I am concerned front-line staff in critical areas of the delivery of public health services will be cut. This document states, consequent on a decision by the Government, led by the Taoiseach, 1,000 jobs must be cut by the end of 2007. The Minister for Health and Children agreed with that. The Taoiseach stated the document had no status and that it was the first he heard of cuts. Who is telling the truth or does it matter any more in this House?

I remind Deputy Kenny the finance officer responsible for the numbers operated under the HSE budget subhead but that is neither here nor there. The Department of Health and Children is also involved. I am giving Deputy Kenny the figures that are available from the Department's note. The Department of Health and Children conveyed sanction for a revised employment ceiling for the health service for the end of 2006 of 108,000 whole-time equivalents, subject to certain conditions. This represents an increase of 10,400 on the existing approved ceiling. If I understand Deputy Kenny's argument correctly, it is that there is a reduction of 1,000 staff. If he is saying——

As per the HSE's own document.

——the HSE has increased its figures substantially above its approved ceiling and it is trying to bring it back in line with its own ceiling, all I would say in reply is it should not have gone above its ceiling in the first place. This is not a reduction on its approved ceiling. In most of its headings for the first half of the year, the HSE is over budget and over staffed.

Will anyone be held accountable? The only people who will be fired are the nurses.

The Taoiseach should be allowed to speak without interruption.

The board of the HSE is accountable and obviously for that reason it is trying to get its figures in order. Deputy Kenny made two points, the second with which I agree. The first point he made is that a cutback has been made by the HSE in its staff complement. That is not the case. The HSE is way over its staff complement. The second point is the HSE should be using its figures, not on front-line staff or sensitive areas, which I accept, but in other areas. Deputy Kenny is correct, there have been significant increases in recent years in administrative promotional posts throughout the HSE.

The Government let it happen.

That is a fact. The HSE would argue it was necessary to do that. The health board system did it on the changeover. That is a different point. I am giving Deputy Kenny the figure for the overall position. The HSE is well ahead of its figures for 2006 and 2007.

And nobody answers.