Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Staff Recruitment.

Tony Killeen

Question:

532 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health and Children the recruitment procedure for posts as general practitioner in the primary care unit with the South Eastern Health Board; and if his attention has been drawn to any difficulties relating to the recruitment of staff in this area.. [19399/00]

Tony Killeen

Question:

533 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties relating to the recruitment of staff (GP) to the primary care unit of the South Eastern Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19400/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 533 together.

The recruitment procedure for posts as general practitioners primary care unit with the South Eastern Health Board is by open competition following public advertisement in the national newspapers. This involves a formal interview and the checking of the qualifications and the references from the current and most recent previous employer of the successful applicant. I am not aware of any difficulties relating to the recruitment of staff to this area. In the board's last advertisement for primary care GPs, in early 2000, 16 general practitioners applied for the post, 14 presented for interview and ten of the 14 were successful and placed on a panel. Seven have already been appointed to the post.