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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

HSE recruitment embargo

Summary

Deputy Broughan asks whether the HSE recruitment freeze or embargo will continue during recess. The Tánaiste says there is no freeze, only a requirement to stay within budget while still recruiting where provision exists.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Ceann Comhairle, the Secretary General of the Houses of the Oireachtas, and the staff for all the brilliant support they have given throughout the session. I thank all the staff, across our ushers, canteen staff and cleaners and everyone who works here, including in the committees, who help us do our job. On behalf of our Independent group, I wish them all a good summer break.

Will the recruitment freeze or embargo which is clearly happening in the HSE continue during the recess? The Chief Executive, Mr. Paul Reed, seems determined to deliver just the resources which the Government gave him in budget 2019 but the result is - all Deputies are hearing this - that skilled professionals who have been appointed to jobs a number of months ago are yet to start their jobs. There clearly is a recruitment freeze. Will it continue during the recess?

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Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

As I said earlier, there is not a recruitment freeze, there is a requirement on the HSE to operate within its budgets. The HSE is recruiting but it is doing so where it has made budgetary provision to do so.

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