HSE sent 36 staff abroad to recruit at cost of €113k

THE HSE spent over €113,000 of taxpayers’ money to send 36 officials to India and Pakistan during a 10-day search for new doctors from the region.

Figures obtained using the Freedom of Information Act confirm that the money was used to fund the recruitment drive vital to plug serious staff shortages in Irish hospitals.

According to the figures, during the 10-day trip in May, 36 HSE personnel — including consultants, management representatives and administrative staff — spent €113,768 on travel, food, meetings and accommodation in the Asian nations.