Dublin: The Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland has lifted its hiring ban, offering a much-needed boost to the nation’s healthcare sector. Bernard Gloster, CEO of the Department of Health, made the announcement, signalling an end to the concerns and controversies that have plagued the sector.
The hiring freeze, which was initially implemented last October and extended in November, had severely impacted the health sector. While the ban exempted consultants, doctors, nurses, and midwives, it prevented the employment of other essential staff, leading to significant disruptions.
Despite numerous appeals from various organisations, including the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), the HSE had maintained the hiring freeze. The government had also refrained from intervening in the matter. However, the recent announcement of an additional €1.5 billion in funding for the HSE, along with a commitment of €1.2 billion for the next year, has paved the way for lifting the ban.
The CEO clarified that the €1.5 billion allocated by the government is intended for the essential sectors of the health service. Additionally, Gloster mentioned that 900 equivalent agency full-time positions would be converted to HSE posts this year, and 2,300 new development posts would be filled within the year. This initiative will enable the HSE to set recruitment targets for each sector in 2024.
The new funding will guide local-level decisions regarding the filling of available posts, including the recruitment of new staff, internal staff transfers, and the reappointment of individuals returning from career breaks.
Approximately 4,000 positions created post-COVID-19 had faced instability due to financial constraints. However, the recent government funding has resolved these issues, ensuring stability for these roles.
Gloster also announced that the HSE has reached an agreement with the Minister of Health to operate within a €1.5 billion budget. The HSE will implement a cost-effective strategy, reducing agency allocations from €250 million to €80 million.
In 2019, the agency spent €423 million on recruitment, which surged to €787 million in 2023. The CEO noted that restrictions on this expenditure have been set at the regional level to prevent future overspending.
This development brings good news for the hundreds of nurses and other health workers who had been awaiting interviews before the hiring freeze. Various agencies are now prepared to resume recruitment activities in the coming days. As per the law, HSE recruitment will be conducted free of charge.
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