Vol. 535 No. 1
282 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a consultant physician with a special interest in endocrinology at Waterford Regional Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11382/01]
The procedures in filling a consultant post involve the submission of an application form to the Department of Health and Children from the relevant agency, identifying the financial and service implications of the post. The Department assesses this application and if considered appropriate from the financial and policy perspectives, furnishes approval to the agency. The agency then submits the post for clearance to Comhairle na n-Ospidéal. The South-Eastern Health Board has submitted an application to the Department for the approval of the post of consultant physician with a special interest in endocrinology at Waterford Regional Hospital. The post is being considered in the context of available resources and the priority accorded to the post by the board.
