26/11/2008

First Cut Is The Deepest As HSE Jobs Targeted

The first of a series of swinging civil service staff cuts are already underway as what is described as 'surplus' Health Service Executive management and administration staff are being targeted in a redundancy scheme.

The move is part of Taoiseach Brian Cowen's long-term reform of the public sector which is expected to greatly reduce the payroll of government agencies across the State.

It is expected that the planned voluntary redundancy scheme for the HSE will be extended to hospital and community services too.

Health Minister Mary Harney confirmed last night that it will begin with these office staff pay-offs, a move that is expected to begin some time next year.

She also confirmed budget plans to trim the overall HSE's staff of over 110,000.

Ms Harney said the scheme will be extended to other grades of health worker in "due course" and will apply to staff at corporate HSE and also to staff at hospital and community level.

The Cabinet yesterday approved the report of the Task Force on Public Sector Reform, which will be published today in a launch at Dublin Castle.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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