It's emerged €215 million has been spent on external staff in the first seven months of this year.
A midlands junior minister says a HSE recruitment ban needs to be lifted to remove the reliance on agency staff.
Laois-Offaly TD and Minster of State for Finance, Seán Fleming, says the chief executive of the HSE effectively put an embargo on the recruitment of all staff last year to keep costs down.
But it's emerged €215 million has been spent on external staff in the first seven months of this year.
The Fianna Fáil deputy says more permanent staff should be employed once the estimate for HSE spending for the year ahead is outlined in next month's budget:
Appeal Lodged Against 600 Acre Laois Solar Farm Project
Government Funding To Benefit Midlands Historical Structures
Former GAA Referee Pleads Guilty To Indecent Assault
Laois TD Warns EU Plans Threaten Irish Neutrality
Almost One Million Cigarettes Seized In Offaly
Management Can Easily End Industrial Action - SIPTU
Westmeath Credit Union Manager Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Midlands Readers Encouraged To Take Part in MS Readathon
Westmeath Town Strong Performer For Fibre Broadband
Ireland's Oldest Living Person With EB Publishes Autobiography
Fund Midlands Councils To Build Housing On Public Land - Simon Community
Midlands Councils Boost Environmental Enforcement Performance
Offaly Food Workers Launch Industrial Action
Public Consultation Taking Place In The Midlands
Man Due In Court Over Armed Pharmacy Robbery In Offaly
Offaly Man Appointed President Of EU Body
Rising Rents Affecting Midlands HAP Tenants
Calls To Fast Track Wastewater Works After Flooding In Offaly
Man Arrested After Attempted Armed Robbery In Offaly
Westmeath Carpark To Reopen As Drainage Project Nears Completion