Minimal Health cuts despite HSE

A MERE 38 posts have been shed at the Department of Health almost three years after the Health Service Executive (HSE) took over the day-to-day running of the health service.

Labour health spokes-woman Jan O’Sullivan has called on Health Minister Mary Harney to clarify the minimal staff reduction, despite the transfer of a considerable workload to the HSE.

“Figures I have obtained in reply to parliamentary questions indicate that there has been virtually no reduction in staff levels in the Department of Health since the HSE was set up.