Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) is to cut €250 million from spending on outside staffing agencies, under plans being considered by health officials and the government, reports the Irish Times. Pay costs will also be cut by €80 million through the conversion of agency staff to HSE employees, according to the HSE service plan for 2024. It is understood that proposals put forward for inclusion in the plan in recent weeks envisage a commitment to cut €250 million in spending on pay with outside staffing agencies.

The attempt to rein in the health budget by making severe cuts to agency spending increases the risk of interruptions to key services, especially next winter. A report by the Parliamentary Budget Office published last year showed the costs of hiring staff from agencies increased by 139% over the 2015-2022 period to €619 million. The agency staffing measure is part of the HSE’s National Service Plan (NSP), which lays out its annual roadmap for spending and service provision, which is due today.