HSE refuses to clarify position of 14,000 workers

HEALTH chiefs last night refused to clarify the position of 14,000 employees believed in danger of being axed as a cost-cutting measure.

The workers, who are on temporary contracts, make up one in eight of all HSE employees and include doctors, nurses, dentists, social workers and administrators.

An internal memo prepared for senior HSE managers says the workers’ contracts must not be renewed unless in exceptional circumstances and there is explicit approval from headquarters. Other measures to be taken “with immediate effect” include not filling positions left vacant through retirements, resignations and career breaks, eliminating all agency personnel and banning overtime.

The HSE is trying to shave more than €700 million off its costs this year in an attempt to address what the memo called “very concerning trends in relation to control of expenditure”.

But IMPACT, the largest health service union, said health services would be “devastated” if temporary employees were let go.

National secretary Kevin Callinan said many of the targeted workers were on short-term contracts that were rolled over repeatedly, effectively making them full-time, continuous employees. “These are not extra positions,” he said. “These are clinical and clerical workers — medical and dental people, nurses, social care workers and support staff — people who are integral to the operation of the health services.”

The HSE, however, did not allay fears. It acknowledged the memo, but said only: “The HSE has not issued any national instruction for non-renewal of temporary staff contracts as temporary staff contracts are issued locally through regional HSE offices.”

IMPACT called for immediate talks on the issue, Mr Callinan saying it was a false economy as most of the workers were on lower pay grades and the cost of supporting them on the dole would negate any savings.

He also warned the move would be raised at the newly recommenced talks between the Government and trade unions on a national partnership deal. “Unless part of the outcome of this current talks process is an agreement employment levels will be maintained, I can’t see how we can have any kind of deal.” he said. “It is going to be devastating if it goes ahead — what I am saying is that it can not go ahead.”

As the HSE memo came to light, it emerged a huge range of other state services including hospitals, schools and Garda resources will be affected by a recruitment freeze on public workers lasting until 2010.

The decision was last night described as “devastating” by teachers who will be subjected to the embargo along with other front-line staff such as nurses and doctors.

All Government departments were issued with a letter from the Department of Finance yesterday, following a Cabinet decision on the issue last weekend.

A ban has also been imposed on promotions, the awarding of new allowances or performance-related bonuses for senior public service staff.

The move is part of an effort to make savings on the €20 billion annual public service pay bill.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has called a halt to any jobs already advertised or recruitment processes under way. When positions do arise, they will be filled by the redeployment of existing staff.

However teaching posts already agreed to at the start of the school year will go ahead but no more positions will be filled from September 2009.

The memo directed that: “No public service post, however arising, may be filled by recruitment, promotion, nor payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade.”