Howlin challenged over HSE surplus

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has been challenged to back up the “urban myth” that 1,500 administrators in the HSE are “surplus to requirements” in the face of claims there are actually shortages in areas of the health service.

Mr Howlin told Pat Kenny’s Newstalk show on Monday that the HSE was not fit for purpose.

“The HSE has identified 1,500 at least administrators who are surplus to requirements,” he said. “We need to get those out of the system. We are not going to keep people in public employment as a social scheme. They have to be doing something that is absolutely essential.”