Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Sep 1996

Vol. 469 No. 2

Written Answers. - Doctors' Posts.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

17 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Health the number of new consultants and NCHD posts which have been sanctioned in 1996; when he intends to publish the revised document on manpower following the Tierney manpower meeting in March 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16985/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Seventeen new consultant posts have been approved to date in 1996 by my Department. In the same period approval has been given to the creation of nine non-consultant hospital doctor posts.

The collaborative study group on medical manpower was established in 1991. The group produced a discussion document entitled "Medical Manpower in Acute Hospitals" which was published in June 1993 and has become known as the Tierney report. This report analysed the existing medical manpower position and put forward a series of proposals for change. The discussion document led to a wide-ranging debate on the issues raised. This debate culminated in a consultative conference held in Limerick in March of this year. Officers of my Department are analysing the response to the Tierney report and the outcome of the Limerick conference. Some further analysis needs to be undertaken and some further consultation is required before a new discussion document, which should contain specific proposals for change, can be produced. I hope to be in a position to announce firm proposals before the end of 1996.