The HSE paid over €17.1m to hire agency staff in its two city hospital UHG and Merlin Park in 2025, the Regional Health Forum has been told.
A Cosgrove, Integrated Health Area Manager, Galway Roscommon told the forum that the number of agency staff required can fluctuate based on service demands, particularly during periods of escalation or surge within the Hospital.
“When additional spaces or escalation areas are opened to accommodate increased patient attendances and admissions, these areas must also be appropriately staffed.
“We continue to run ongoing recruitment campaigns to fill current vacancies. In addition, where specialist roles remain unfilled due to the limited availability of suitable candidates, agency support is required to ensure these essential positions are covered such as Nursing for the Emergency Department and Critical Care Departments,” she added.
Ms Cosgrove said that agency staff are also used to support services in terms of the number of Health Care Assistants.
“Multi-task attendants required will also depend on the number of patients who require one to one assistance. Consequently, agency related numbers and costs may vary in accordance with these requirements; we employ additional agency staff to support the service when required,” she said, in response to questions from Cllr Shane Forde.
