Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2024
426. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing benefits such as reduced-cost GP care, reduced-cost hospital-stay fees, and so on, for staff who work in the public healthcare sector, so as to acknowledge their invaluable contribution to healthcare overall, and to potentially entice more into the healthcare professions and ensure staff retention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38482/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of all staff working in our Health Service, who I know go above and beyond every day to provide exceptional care for those who are most in need within our communities. The HSE are dedicated to supporting all staff members and continue to examine and consider all initiatives that may support attracting and retaining staff into the Health services.
As part of the employee offering the HSE has extensive occupational health, and significant health and wellbeing supports in place which can be utilised by all employees as required.
There has been an unprecedented level of investment by this Government in the health service workforce in recent years, with the growth in the number of staff recruited in 2023 being the highest since the foundation of the HSE. As of August 2024, there are 147,714 staff employed in the HSE this represents an increase of 27,901 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staff since December 2019.
