Terence Flanagan
Question:242. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding doctors pay (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55862/12]
View answerWednesday, 12 December 2012
Questions (242, 243)
Terence Flanagan
Question:243. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the following query regarding oncology consultants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55863/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
Ongoing reform and increased efficiency in service delivery is essential. It is imperative that consultants, given their roles within the health system, lead this process. The measures agreed between health service management and the consultant representative bodies at the Labour Relations Commission in September will allow for very significant reforms in how health and specifically consultant services are delivered and will ultimately lead to improved outcomes for users of the services.
In September 2012 I announced that, henceforth, the appointment of new consultants will be made at a new entry level pay rate, significantly reduced from the current starting level. Therefore, doctors who have been successful at interview after 1 October are being appointed at 30% reduced salary rates. Current consultants' pay is protected under the Croke Park Agreement and is not affected by the introduction of the lower rates.
It is essential that salary levels in the public service, and particularly those attaching to the most highly paid positions, are as far as possible brought into line with those in comparable countries. It is not sustainable, in the light of the State's serious financial difficulties, to continue to recruit at the previous rates. If we are to continue to provide consultant-level career opportunities for doctors and, subject to the limitations on available resources, to replace consultants who retire and where possible expand overall capacity, this can only happen on the basis of a lower-cost model.