During Dáil Questions today (Wednesday), the Minister for Health admitted that the number of Grade Eight Middle Managers in the health service had grown by 37% and said she hoped there was scope for voluntary redundancies, according to Fine Gael Health Spokesperson, Dr James Reilly TD. Dr Reilly highlighted the plight of patients awaiting admission to the National Rehabilitation Hospital which cannot now discharge patients because of the health cutbacks.
Interesting to note the use of the word hope by the Minister. The Minister has expressed no concern for frontline staff laid off. No talk of voluntary redundancies for them. No concern for the patients. What are her proposals to halt this madness?
As Minister for Health, Mary Harney must take hard decisions to reduce administrative costs of the HSE. The HSE bureaucratic monster was established by the last FF/PD government to streamline the health service. It could shelter the FF/PD politicians from the backlash which would inevitably occur when hospital closures and cutbacks occurred. Whilst front line services are being cut in places such as Sligo,top executives may get bonuses of around €20,000. The number of Grade Eight Middle Managers has grown by 37% . Can she justify this? Of course not.
The Health Minister is unwilling to admit that patients will be affected by Government-sanctioned health cutbacks. With the onset of Winter the crisis is likely to escalate.
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