Vol. 438 No. 2
98 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the total number of junior hospital doctors in Ireland; the number of those who are non-nationals; the measures that could be introduced to encourage more Irish junior doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Statistics compiled by the Collaborative Study Group which is examining the area of medical manpower in acute hospitals indicate that there are 2,325 non-consultant hospital doctor posts in public hospitals in Ireland, 805 of which are filled by non-EC nationals. There are also approximately 200 other posts in public hospitals sponsored by medical schools etc. which are mainly concerned with teaching and research.
The high dependency on the availability of non-EC nationals especially in some small to medium sized hospitals has been a cause for concern to my Department for some time. It was one of the reasons for the establishment for the Collaborative Study Group. The Group which consists of representatives of my Department, Comhairle na nOspidéal and the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board outlined a number of proposals for change and their implications in its discussion document which was circulated to all these with an interest in the subject. The Group is proceeding with the second part of its remit which includes, inter alia, consideration of the various responses to this document.
I intend to await the outcome of the Group's deliberations before deciding what action, if any, is required.
