Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
103. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the proportion of HSE staff currently employed in acute services and the proportion employed in community health services; the equivalent figures at the end of 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52219/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE’s most recent Employee Census reported that in August 2025 the number of staff working in HSE Acute services equated to 79,076 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE). The number of staff working in Community services in August 2025, inclusive of Disabilities services, was 59,338 WTE.
The equivalent figures for December 2019 were 60,393 WTE for Acutes services and 51,928 WTE for Community services.
In August 2025 staff in Acute services accounted for 53.0% of all HSE staff with staff in Community services accounting for 39.8%. In December 2019 staff in Acute services accounted for 50.4% of all HSE staff with staff in Community staff accounting for 43.3%. National services and Regional Support Staff account for the balance of staffing numbers.
HSE staff growth includes:
• 7,997 Nursing and Midwifery staff working in Acute services
• 3,472 Medical and Dental staff working in Acute services.
• 1,794 additional Health and Social Care Professionals in Community services
• 2,480 Patient and Care staff in Community services.
This growth in staff numbers represents an unprecedented investment in the health care workforce. It also reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring adequate and safe staffing across our health service. It should be viewed as a necessary and welcome development in meeting the existing and future needs of our health service.
