Vol. 535 No. 1
350 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has received an application from the South Eastern Health Board for sanction to appoint a second consultant rheumatologist in the region; the date on which this application was received in his Department; the current status of the application; when a decision will be made in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12081/01]
The procedures in filling a consultant post involve, in the first instance, the submission of an application form to the Department of Health and Children, from the relevant agency, which identifies the financial and service implications of the post. The Department assesses this application and if considered appropriate from the financial and policy perspectives, would furnish 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 dated 26 October 2000 to the Department for the approval of a second consultant rheumatologist post at Waterford Regional Hospital.
The post is being considered in the context of available resources and the priority accorded to it by the board.
