Pay and numbers strategy to provide greater ‘visibility’

The Medical Independent (MI) has been informed the next HSE pay and numbers strategy is
nearing completion.

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly requested in February that the strategy be submitted without delay.

The next strategy will provide “greater visibility, oversight and governance”, the Executive’s Chair wrote to Minister Donnelly in January.

On 26 January, Mr Ciarán Devane sent Minister Donnelly the HSE National Service Plan 2024 (NSP), with a cover letter, seen by MI through Freedom of Information law.

“As previously outlined, the HSE pay and numbers strategy is being designed with the objective of strengthening our pay bill management and control in 2024, and providing greater visibility, oversight and governance. We will continue to work closely with Department officials in this regard,” wrote
Mr Devane.

In his response in February, Minister Donnelly approved the revised NSP 2024.

However, he added “it should be noted that any decisions on the allocation of staffing and paybill will be agreed as part of pay and numbers strategy approval process”.

The Minister wrote he understood that the strategy was currently under development and he requested its “submission as soon as possible”.

The strategy is the HSE’s annual plan setting out the associated workforce numbers and the associated costs for its existing and new service development resources for the year ahead. It includes all pay costs inclusive of direct pay, agency, and overtime.

The plan is currently in its “final stages of development”, a HSE spokesperson told MI at the
end of May.