Kenny: HSE has contingency plans for staff departures

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has today insisted that the Health Service Executive has a contingency plan to deal with staff departures.

At least 3,000 workers are expected to have left the health service by the end of February before changes to public-sector pensions begin.

Consultant obstetrician Gerry Burke has warned that mothers and babies may die at the Mid-Western Maternity Hospital in Limerick as a result of staff shortages, a statement which Mr Kenny described as "outrageous".

Mr Kenny said that a review will be carried out after the HSE's retirement scheme closes to assess the situation.

"The reason for the review at the end of February is that the numbers will become clear as to who actually has left and in what categories and sectors people have left," he said.

"The HSE have a contingency plan here, but can’t actually determine the outcomes until you see the numbers who will actually leave."