Taoiseach unable to say if HSE will be able to hire 10,000 staff this year

'Officials in the Department of Health are saying that the idea we will recruit 10,000 people this year, and I quote from one of the officials, is: "batshit", that's what they think about the recruitment of 10,000 people that we need in our health service,' Labour leader Alan Kelly said

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there had been record recruitment in the HSE in the last two years at 12,500 people. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins Dublin

The Taoiseach has refused to answer on whether the HSE will be able to hire 10,000 staff this year after recordings emerged of Department of Health staff slating the target.

Reported in the Business Post over the weekend, a recording of a private meeting revealed "a very dysfunctional relationship between the Department of Health and the HSE," according to Labour leader Alan Kelly during leader's questions.