HSE get almost 4,000 applications for redundancy

Up to 3,775 people have applied for the HSE's early retirement and redundancy scheme.

The incentivised scheme has been described by the HSE as an important element of its cost-reduction plan for 2011.

Chief Executive Cathal McGee has appeared before the Joint Committee on Health and Children this morning.

He said the purpose of the programme was to achieve a permanent reduction in management, administration and support staff from January 1, 2011.

But he said some of those who applied to leave "may change their mind before the end of the month".