1446. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Health if agency workers who take up employment with the HSE do not have their experience as agency workers taken into consideration and effectively start again on the pay scale; to confirm that this was not always the practice; and if she will consider reverting to the previous practice of taking experience into consideration regardless of if it is with an agency. [65834/26]

Incremental credit on appointment is determined in accordance with the relevant national agreements, circulars and HSE policies applicable to the grade concerned.

HSE HR Circular 012/2025 clarifies that service undertaken through a private employment agency is generally regarded as private sector experience for incremental credit purposes, including where an individual was assigned to work in a public body. Accordingly, such service is not normally reckonable for incremental credit in grades where only direct public service employment may be taken into account.

The Circular also provides for a temporary exception in certain agency conversion cases, subject to specified conditions. The application of incremental credit arrangements is a matter for the HSE in accordance with the relevant provisions.