asked the Minister for Health what steps he proposes to take to deal with the present grave shortage of senior and consultant psychiatrists in the local authority health service which is now on the verge of breakdown in certain areas because of the shortage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Psychiatric Service.
9.
In a reply which I gave to the Deputy on the 4th December, 1969, I furnished details of the various steps which have been taken in recent years to improve the position about recruitment of psychiatrists for the mental health service. There has been a substantial increase in the number of senior psychiatric posts in that service. For example, in 1966, when the Commission of Inquiry on Mental Illness reported, there were 63 approved posts of psychiatrist at consultant level. Today there are 100 such posts. Where these posts are not held by permanent officers, the duties in almost all cases are being performed by officers employed in a temporary capacity. I may add that to date any proposals which have been submitted to me for the creation of senior psychiatric posts have been approved.
With a view to improving the teaching of psychiatry, Chairs of Psychiatry have been created in all the medical schools but one and steps are in train for the creation of a Chair in that school. As the Deputy is aware the Dublin Health Authority in co-operation with the Dublin Medical Schools has introduced a unified post-graduate training scheme for psychiatrists and at present some 40 doctors are undergoing this training course.
Further improvements in the remuneration and conditions of service of psychiatrists have already been the subject of discussions with the medical organisations concerned. It is hoped in the immediate future to resume these discussions with a view to the early introduction of the new arrangements.