The HSE’s spending on agency staff is on course to exceed €845 million in 2026, according to new figures released to Independent Ireland Chairperson and Cork North Central TD Ken O’Flynn.
The data, provided by the HSE Chief Financial Officer’s division in response to Parliamentary Question 43156/26, shows the agency staffing bill rising every year:
The 2026 figure covers only the first five months of the year. On the current run rate, it points to a full-year cost of approximately €845 million, which would be the highest agency staffing bill on record and would exceed the €832.4 million spent in 2025.
Deputy O’Flynn said: “These figures speak for themselves. In the space of two years, the HSE agency staffing bill has jumped by almost €185 million, an increase of nearly 29%, and there is no sign of it slowing down.
“Every euro spent on high-cost agency staffing is money that could otherwise be invested in permanent frontline staff and, ultimately, in providing care to patients waiting for treatment.”
He added that the figures understate the true position, as they cover HSE statutory services only and exclude spending across Section 38 and Section 39 voluntary hospitals and agencies.
“What concerns me most is that these numbers are only part of the picture. They cover statutory services alone, so the real cost to the taxpayer is greater again.
“I will be pressing the Minister and the HSE for a full monthly breakdown and for a credible plan to bring this spending under control.
“A workforce strategy that was meant to reduce reliance on agency staff has instead coincided with record spending. The public deserves to know why this is happening and what is being done to reverse the trend.”