Recruitment freeze as HSE attempts to balance its books

The Health Service Executive has imposed an immediate ban on recruitment in a bid to balance its budget.

The ban covers full-time, temporary and part-time staff.

The HSE has also put a freeze on foreign travel, deferred starting dates for new staff and resumption dates for those returning from career breaks.

The cost-saving measures are an attempt to counter overspending on the health services so far this year.