The amount of money spent on agency staff in acute public hospitals increased by over €9m last year.
University Hospital Limerick had by far the biggest spend in 2019.
According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, more than €161.1m was spent on agency staff in the HSE’s acute hospitals last year.
It’s a 6% increase on the €151.8m spent in 2018.
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In the South East, the HSE spent;
- €6.3 million on University Hospital Waterford
- €5.2 million on South Tipperary General
- €5 million on St Luke's Hospital for Carlow / Kilkenny
The HSE says 94% of its pay budget each year is spent on directly employed staff, and reducing agency and overtime costs continues to be a particular focus.
