€22m spent on mental health agency staff, overtime

MORE than €22 million was spent on agency staff and overtime within the mental health nursing services during 2010, documents obtained by the Irish Examiner have revealed.

A draft proposal prepared by mental health bosses in order to reduce overtime and agency use says that in 2010, €15.2m was paid out on overtime, while €7m was paid for agency nurses.

The document states the “routine use” of agency staff and overtime to fulfil rosters “must be eliminated”.