Its emerged the HSE has spent significantly more money on agency staff this year.

Figures show the amount spent on hiring in medical staff at hospitals during the month of January 2015 was 10% higher than the same month of last year.

The Health Service Executive had promised by cut its agency budget by 30 million euro this year.

Industry Correspondent with the Irish Times, Martin Wall, spoke to Lunchtime today and he stated the spend in January of this year was over €27 million: