Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Doctors.

Bernard Allen

Question:

102 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a letter sent to a publication (details supplied) signed by 24 non-consultant hospital doctors from eight different hospitals who are non-EU doctors and who are claiming that an injustice has been done by not offering them the same equal opportunities and have accused the Government of discriminating against them and showing preferential treatment to the recently recruited doctors from India and Pakistan and that, by allowing them to bypass the assessment examination, the Government has given them preferential treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9357/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

During the first half of 2000, health employers endeavoured to fill NCHD anaesthetic vacancies through the usual channels. This was not successful and some vacancies were left unfilled. The recruitment initiative in India and Pakistan was primarily concerned with resolving difficulties which had arisen with anaesthetic non-consultant hospital doctor vacancies. These doctors are employed under a sponsorship programme and, by virtue of this scheme, are exempt from the Medical Council's assessment examination. This is not the first time the sponsorship system has been used. Three year contracts are being offered by health service employers provided these doctors fulfil the training requirements.