Minister for Health Mary Harney has said there are no plans at this stage for a redundancy programme within the Health Service Executive.
She was responding to HSE proposals to Government to make 1,000 senior management, clerical and administrative staff redundant.
Ms Harney said it was too early to speculate on the plan as a review of HSE staffing levels was continuing.
She added any redundancy programme would ultimately have to be approved by the Government, and redundancies would be voluntary and where possible staff would be redeployed.
Minister Harney also said it is far too early to speculate what the cost of the restructuring might be or what ongoing savings might be achieved.
The HSE has said €30m would be needed to fund the redundancy programme.
Ms Harney said it is perceived that the HSE has too many staff in administration and management roles, but clearly to operate clinical services one needs support staff.
IMPACT General Secretary Peter McLoone said earlier that no discussions have taken place about the job cuts proposal.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Morning Ireland, Mr McLoone said the HSE was going about its business without adequate consultation.
In its proposal submitted to the Government, the HSE suggests that 200 senior management and 800 clerical and administrative posts would go.
