The number of management and admin staff in the health service is currently higher than it was in 2001, according to new figures.

There were 14,500 whole-time equivalent admin/managers in the service at the end of 2001, while there are 15,600 today. The figures show, however, that this number has been reduced from a high of 18,400 in mid-2007.

The stats also show that the number of senior managers in the health service was 863 in 2004 and is 1,071 today, although it reached a peak of 1,232 in 2007.

The number of staff in many categories has reduced in recent years as a result of the recruitment embargo and early exit schemes.

The number of medical/dental staff in the health system has increased from just over 7,000 in 2004 to 8,256 today.

Consultant numbers have increased from 1,888 in 2004 to 2,540 this year, and junior doctor numbers from 4,199 to 4,825 in the same period. However, junior doctor numbers are down by around 80 compared to last year

The number of nurses in the system was 34,313 in 2004 and is 34,528 today. However, this is down from a high of 38,965 in 2007.

Out of the total number of nurses today, 7,505, or just over one-in five, are nurse managers.

The figures were provided by the Department of Health to Fine Gael's Jerry Buttimer, Chairman of the Oireachtas Health Committee, for its latest meeting.