Vol. 542 No. 5
329 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent figures published by the OECD showing that Ireland fell into the bottom quarter of the table ranking doctors per population in 29 countries; and the plans he has to deal with this issue. [25220/01]
I am aware of the figures referred to by the Deputy. The Government earlier this year approved the establishment of a national task force on medical manpower, which will, inter alia, be responsible for preparing and overseeing the implementation of detailed strategies for addressing the medical staffing needs of the Irish hospital system and the associated medical training requirements. The task force will be established shortly. It is envisaged that as a result of the work to be undertaken by the task force, there will be a substantial increase in the number of appropriately trained senior clinical decision makers employed in the public hospital service.
