asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate the amount of control he possesses over the appointment of consultants to voluntary hospitals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Voluntary Hospital Consultants.
6.
Under section 41 (1) (b) (i) of the Health Act, 1970, the regulation of the number and type of consultant appointments in hospitals engaged in the provision of services under the Act, including public voluntary hospitals, is a matter for Comhairle na nOspidéal which was established on 1st July, 1972, by the Health (Hospital Bodies) Regulations, 1972. The only controls which I possess are those arising from my over-all responsibility for the allocation of financial resources for the health services, which are not specifically related to particular matters of this nature.
I am empowered under section 41 (1) (b) (v) of the Health Act, 1970, to prepare draft regulations for the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas relating to a selection procedure for consultant appointments which would apply equally to voluntary hospitals and health boards. I have asked Comhairle na nOspidéal for their views on this question as a matter of priority.