HSE boss plans to cut agency hours and may ask Government for more funds

CEO of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, said funding increases over recent years “allowed the HSE to respond to sustained pressures, but not yet to overcome all of them.”  File photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The HSE chief has warned it could need more money from the Government this year because of high medical inflation as well as energy and staffing costs.

Bernard Gloster also said it plans to slash agency staff hours by a third despite recruitment challenges. The plan says a saving of €250m is expected from this measure, along with €80m from converting agency staff to HSE staff.