Expenditure by the health service on agency staff increased by more than 10 per cent in January compared with the same period last year, official figures show.

The Health Service Executive is supposed to cut its spending on agency staff and overtime by about €30 million this year as part of its budgetary strategy.

However, figures released by the HSE in response to a parliamentary question tabled by Billy Kelleher of Fianna Fáil show that in January it spent €27.398 million on agency staff.

This compared with €24.943 million in January 2014.

Overall last year the HSE spent more than €340 million on personnel provided by agencies.

The HSE in its reply to the parliamentary question said it did not yet have a projection for the overall expenditure on agency staff for this year.

Savings

However, the HSE budget for the year is based on it generating savings overall of €140 million this year. Of this a target of €30 million was set for reducing expenditure on agency personnel and overtime.

Mr Kelleher said “a 10 per cent increase in agency fees this January relative to January 2014 was not encouraging.”

He said the HSE service plan for 2015 maintained that “reducing the reliance on agency staff which is very costly…is one of the HSE key priorities for 2015”.

He said the 2015 plan also said €30 million was the minimum targeted reduction in agency and overtime costs.

Financial pressure

“It is clear that our health services are in for another year of sustained financial pressure and at this stage it seems highly unlikely that the so-called ‘realistic’ budget brought forward by Minister Varadkar will be sufficient for 2015.”

The HSE, in its answer to the parliamentary question, said the use of agency staff was closely monitored and only used when strictly necessary to avoid disruption to services.

“Where the budget allows agency staff may be used only where no alternative is possible and where there is a short-term critical service need.

“Expenditure on agency staff is closely monitored on a monthly basis at national and regional levels across all services. Controls have been introduced to support efforts to achieve savings in the use of agency staff.

“This includes tight management and scrutiny of all types of leave and cover arrangements, supported by more effective rostering.

“Each of the four regions has in place robust processes to ensure all possible staffing options are considered prior to the use of agency staff.”