HSE staff cut by over 7,000

The number of HSE has  shrunk by over 7,000 in four years, according to latest figures.

There were 111,504 people employed in the health service at the end of 2007, compared to 104,392 at the end of last year, according to a Dail reply from Health Minister James Reilly.

This figure will be added to by the exit of thousands more staff before the pensions 'grace period' expires at the end of the month.

The largest number of staff reductions the past four years has been in nursing, where numbers are down by 3,103.

Management and admin staff numbers have decreased by 2,059 since the end of 2007, according to the Minister, who was replying to a PQ from Deputy Bernard Durkan of Fine Gael.

[Posted: Tue 21/02/2012]