THOUSANDS OF staff in the Health Service Executive are facing delays in the payment of expenses for travel and subsistence, which were due next month, until after Christmas as a result of the health authority’s financial difficulties.
The HSE told trade unions last night that the payment of certain types of expenses which were incurred in October and November and not yet claimed would be deferred until early in the new year. It said the move would save €15 million.
The plan, which has angered unions, was also criticised last night by the Minister for Health James Reilly. He said: “I don’t approve of this. I have asked people to stay within budget. I have asked hospitals and the HSE to stay within budget but I expect them to pay their bills.”
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Timehe added: "Staying in budget doesn't mean that you don't pay people the money you owe ... It doesn't mean for hospitals that they don't pay their suppliers or their staff".
In a letter to trade unions the HSE’s human resources section said it had been directed by the organisation’s head of finance that staff travelling expenses that fall due for payment in December “should be deferred until January 2012 at the earliest”.
“This decision arises because of the current state of HSE finances as we approach the end of the current financial year.”
The letter, which was sent on behalf of the health authority’s head of corporate employee relations, Brian Kirwan, said the HSE was available for discussions on the matter, if required.
Siptu said the HSE proposal to defer the payment of travelling expenses was “unacceptable”. It has sought an urgent meeting and urged the HSE to withdraw the proposal. Impact also said it would be seeking talks on the issue.
Siptu’s health division organiser Paul Bell said staff who were contractually obliged to work in the community would be particularly hit by the move.
“We have members in home help services who are dependent on being reimbursed for their expense on petrol and diesel and many of these community carers work in rural areas. “We also have nurses and other health professionals in multidisciplinary teams travelling to sick and vulnerable people in the community.
“The decision of the HSE today can only be interpreted as health workers being instructed to bankroll the HSE and this decision is not acceptable by our members and will be resisted.”
The HSE said it had decided to defer the payment of staff travel and subsistence claims until January, given its financial position. “Staff will be paid for their travel and mileage claims in January”.
The HSE is facing a potential €300 million deficit by the end of the year.