MINISTER MOLONEY IS RIGHT IN CALLING FOR EASING OF EMBARGO
Issued : Friday 26 February, 2010
The admission by Minister with responsibility for Mental Health John Moloney that the Government’s own reform programme, Vision for Change’ cannot be implemented unless the recruitment embargo is eased is a welcome development.
I raised this matter in the Seanad this week. The embargo has had a seriously detrimental impact on many areas of public services, but nowhere has been hit harder than mental health services. According to figures released by the HSE, 719 posts have been lost in mental health services in the past 14 months. The embargo is a very blunt instrument and I would fully concur with the Minister that vital services simply cannot be delivered as long as it is in place.
