Well being service boss Paul Reid has been accused of “insincerity” by Impartial TD Verona Murphy throughout terse exchanges at an Oireachtas committee assembly.
The Wexford TD claimed Mr Reid’s “insincerity received’t wash for one second right here”, including that she “doesn't put up with an excessive amount of BS”.
The HSE chief govt took offence on the TD’s tone, saying it was “not respectful and never skilled” as he appeared earlier than the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday.
It was Mr Reid’s final time in entrance of the general public spending watchdog earlier than stepping down from his place subsequent month after three-and-a-half years.
Ms Murphy stated psychological well being companies had “gone off the radar” as she requested about recruitment of well being service employees within the south-east of the nation.
Mr Reid instructed the committee some 15,200 employees had been recruited throughout the nation since January 2020.
He stated: “2,700 in 2022 yr thus far, we’re concentrating on between 4,500 and 5,000 this yr.”
He including that of that internet determine, 4,500 had been nursing and midwives, 2,000 had been healthcare assistants and a pair of,300 had been well being and social care professionals.
Requested particularly what number of occupational therapists (OTs) had been recruited, Mr Reid stated he didn't have the breakdown of these figures handy.
Ms Murphy requested: “Why did you intrude when you couldn’t reply the query?
I convey a delegation in right here on a regular basis and respect the parliamentary course of... I feel we do it respectfully... The tone of what I've simply heard to my delegation right here just isn't respectful and never skilledPaul Reid, HSE
“I requested a selected query as to what number of OTs had been provided a job and what number of certified this yr. Have you learnt?”
Mr Reid stated: “I’ll reply in an expert method. And I count on the identical reciprocation.”
The TD continued: “I’ve been instructed there’s by no means been an exit interview carried out of HSE professionals that come to me who inform me what’s mistaken with the system, however that no person in administration within the HSE has requested.
“I’m not completed Mr Reid, if I wish to ask you a query I'll, seeing as you’re decided to interrupt me. Simply me. I didn’t see you do it with anyone else.”
She then requested when a dietician can be appointed to Youngster and Adolescent Psychological Well being Providers (CAMHS) in Wexford.
In response, Mr Reid stated he couldn't touch upon the appointment in Wexford.
“There are challenges in recruiting,” he stated. “To face nonetheless yearly we've to recruit 10,000 folks.
“That’s simply churn. On high of that we've recruited a internet further 15,500. I don’t know that particular one in Wexford. However we'll get the small print for you.
“However to state the apparent, sure there are challenges and also you won't prefer it. We don’t prefer it. However there are challenges.
“I convey a delegation in right here on a regular basis and respect the parliamentary course of… I feel we do it respectfully… The tone of what I’ve simply heard to my delegation right here just isn't respectful and never skilled.”
Mr Murphy replied: “I can inform you, Mr Reid, your insincerity received’t wash for one second right here and I've full respect for all of your employees.
“However I don’t put up with an excessive amount of BS, chair. And that’s it. I didn’t get a solution to the query.”
Earlier, TDs and senators heard the HSE expects to spend about 2 billion euro on Covid-19 this yr, nearly twice as a lot as had been estimated.
Mr Reid stated it might end result in a “very vital” Covid deficit when in comparison with the allotted price range.
A complete of 1.15 billion had been offered for Covid-19 spending as per the HSE’s Nationwide Service Plan.
“There was intensive engagement between the HSE and its funders in relation to the doubtless Covid-19 deficit and dialogue is below manner with reference to supplemental funding,” he added.
He instructed the committee the HSE has recorded a deficit to the tip of July this yr of 731 million euro.
Greater than 80% of this deficit (some 600 million euro) is pushed by the direct impression of Covid-19, with the remaining 123 million euro pushed by core (non-Covid) associated prices, he stated.
TDs and senators additionally heard the general allocation of funding to psychological well being for this yr is 1,159 million euro, which is an extra improve of 60 million over 2021.
Since 2012, psychological well being funding has elevated by 452 million euro, or 64% total – 325 million euro pertains to precedence service enhancements.
Final yr, the HSE recorded an total deficit of 195 million euro for the 2021 monetary yr.
Mr Reid stated: “This deficit is because of the pressures arising from the continued Covid-19 response, leading to an extra of Covid prices over accessible Covid funding
“This consists of expenditure in relation to the vaccination programme in addition to take a look at and hint prices, which had been key to the HSE pandemic response.”