Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Medical Cards
709. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made
on an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County
Tipperary who submitted requested further information on 13 January; the reason for the delay
in processing the information received; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8153/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Pension Provisions
710. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise payment of
gratuity in respect of a person (details supplied) who has taken early retirement on ill health
grounds following an assault which occurred while working. [8154/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): As this is a service matter, it has been referred
to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Service Staff
711. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a month by month
breakdown of retirements of the number of health service staff that are retiring each month
between September 2011 and end of April 2012; if he will provide an outline of the posts that
will be prioritised for replacement and give a month by month breakdown of when these
positions will be filled. [8160/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): These numbers are liable to change as data is
refined, as additional applications are processed and if existing applications are withdrawn.
There is currently no data available for the months of March and April 2012.
The Government has determined that, in line with its commitment to reduce the size of the
public service, health sector employment numbers must be reduced to approximately 102,100
WTE in 2012.
The impact of staff reductions, and particularly those occurring before the end of the present
“grace period”, together with reduced financial resources, represents a significant challenge for
the health system in delivering services. The HSE’s National Service Plan 2012, which I recently
approved, sets out what actions will be taken to address these challenges. The HSE is seeking
to mitigate the impact of the retirements on frontline services by—
• Using the provisions of the Public Service Agreement to bring about greater flexibilities
in work practices and rosters, redeployment and other changes to achieve more
efficient delivery of services.
• Delivering greater productivity through the National Clinical Programmes to reduce
average length of stay, improve day of admission surgery rates and increase the
number of patients treated as day cases.
• Some limited and targeted recruitment during 2012 to address critical risks and in
priority areas including mental health, primary care, child protection and the National
Clinical Programmes, to help limit the impact of retirements on frontline services. It
is not possible at this stage to indicate a detailed timescale for such appointments.
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