O’Mahony calls on Minister to lift recruitment embargo NOW or lives could be lost

THE continuing refusal by the Government to lift the ban on public service recruitment has been slammed by Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony. Speaking after being told in the Dáil last week by the Minister for Health, Mary Harney TD, that the ban would not be lifted, Deputy O’Mahony said that the policy being pursued by the Government was ludicrous.

“I addressed my question to the Minister for Health specifically because of the effect that this policy is having on the health service. Nurses are being stretched to the limit all over the country and here in Mayo there is a threat to the very existence of Belmullet hospital

.

“I have said it before but it merits repeating that this Government has completely failed the people of Mayo. What benefit is there to anyone by not filling vital positions at Belmullet hospital? Where will the patients that could go there go? To Castlebar, of course, which is already under pressure.

“This ban on recruitment is a false economy. There can’t simply be hard and fast rules without room for flexibility and before it’s too late I’m calling on the Government to reverse this policy,” he said.

Note. Please see below response to Parliamentary Question tabled by John O’Mahony TD on this matter

QUESTION NO: 191

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Health and Children (Ms. Harney (Dublin Mid-West))

by Deputy John O’Mahony

for WRITTEN ANSWER on 23/02/2010

* To ask the Minludicrous.

“I addressed my question to the Minister for Health specifically because of the effect that this policy is having on the health service. Nurses are being stretched to the limit all over the country and here in Mayo there is a threat to the very existence of Belmullet hospital

.

“I have said it before but it merits repeating that this Government has completely failed the people of Mayo. What benefit is there to anyone by not filling vital positions at Belmullet hospital? Where will the patients that could go there go? To Castlebar, of course, which is already under pressure.

“This ban on recruitment is a false economy. There can’t simply be hard and fast rules without room for flexibility and before it’s too late I’m calling on the Government to reverse this policy,” he said.

Note. Please see below response to Parliamentary Question tabled by John O’Mahony TD on this matter

QUESTION NO: 191

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Health and Children (Ms. Harney (Dublin Mid-West))

by Deputy John O’Mahony

for WRITTEN ANSWER on 23/02/2010

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will lift the ban on public sector recruitment for health and ambulance personnel in the interests of public safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

John O’Mahony T.D.

REPLY.

In order to implement savings measures on public service numbers, the Government decided that, with effect from 27 March 2009 to end 2010, no post in the public sector, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade. The decision applies to all grades of permanent and temporary staff, notwithstanding a number of specific exemptions. A HSE circular has issued which gives effect to the Government decision in the public health services and other spe