asked the Minister for Health the total projected manpower needs and the needs in each medical discipline for each five year period to the end of the century; if there is a medical manpower board in operation; if not, if he proposes to establish such a board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Medical Manpower Planning.
159.
The Department of Health recognises the crucial importance of medical manpower planning in the health services due to the numbers and costs involved. This is particularly important in view of the high proportion of pay costs to overall costs and the high talent and long time involved in training doctors. Effective medical manpower planning is the health services presents huge challenges. The size of the workforce is large; ther are multiple grades and specialities, workloads can be variable and cover is usually needed 24 hours a day.
The Department of Health has initiated an analysis of the medical manpower situation in Ireland. The Department recognises the necessity of soundly based rational analysis in this regard. Decisions can only be taken in this area after the most careful consideration because they may influence the career opportunities and income levels of health professionals. For these reasons the Department of Health has not drawn up the total projected manpower needs and the needs in each medical discipline for each five year period to the year 2000.
There is not a medical manpower board in existence. The analysis and examination of medical manpower is being conducted within the Department of Health in consultation with the relevant bodies, and with the most recent available information. The Department is the competent authority in this regard and has the expertise available and for these reasons I do not intend to establish a medical manpower board.