Govt orders HSE to shed 2,000 health sector jobs

The Department of Health has reportedly ordered 2,000 job cuts to bring employment in the health service below the official ceiling laid down by the Government in 2002.

Reports this morning said the department had told the Health Service Executive that current employment levels were 1.4% above the official limit and would have to be reduced.

The department has reportedly suggested that the job cuts should mainly affect managerial and administrative grades and should not harm frontline services.

At present, around 98,000 people are employed in the health service.