Deal could cut €123m agency bill to five firms

By Gary Culliton. The Haddington Road Agreement has the potential to reduce the HSE's significant dependency on agency staff, according to Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Health Senator Colm Burke, who has expressed concern after figures identified that five firms providing agency workers to the Executive last year were paid €123 million. The HSE currently employs agency staff at a rate equal to permanent staff but, in addition, pays a commission to the agency firm.  The outcome of the Labour Relations Commission process on the revised Public Service Stability Agreement contains measures aimed at addressing this significant cost to the…