Vol. 539 No. 3
127 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of vacant medical posts and posts where personnel are in an acting capacity in the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19146/01]
With regard to non-consultant hospital doctors, there are currently 3,209 NCHDs employed within the Irish public health service. The latest projections indicate that 3,164, 98.6% of these posts throughout the country will be filled on 1 July this year. This leaves 45, 1.4% of NCHD posts remaining to be filled. There is no evidence to indicate that certain specialties are experiencing particular difficulties. I am not aware of any particular difficulties in filling hospital consultant posts. The remainder of the information requested by the Deputy is not immediately available in my Department. I have requested the chief executive officer of each health board, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the voluntary hospitals outside of Dublin to provide this information to the Deputy at their earliest convenience.
