Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Doctors.

Bernard Allen

Question:

204 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to address his expressed concern on the current working conditions of non-consultant hospital doctors and in view of his commitment to address the issue. [4047/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

Non-consultant hospital doctors are employed on standard terms and conditions of employment negotiated by the Health Service Employers Agency and the Irish Medical Organisation. Implementation of the agreement is a matter for individual health service employers.

Further to the introduction of a 48 hour working week for non-consultant hospital doctors, it has been agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation to undertake a study of hospital doctors' working hours. A firm of management consultants has just been appointed to conduct this study at eight hospitals. It is hoped to have a report from the consultants by the end of May. I hope this study will provide us with a sound factual basis for embarking on a progressive reduction of hospital doctors' working hours.