Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
643. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants and speciality recruited under the new consultant contract since it was introduced; the number of new contracts awarded to consultants in each speciality during this period; the number of exceptions to the new contract, the speciality and the reason the new contract was not applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22523/13]
View answerSubject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. I have asked the Executive to compile the information requested by the Deputy and to reply to him directly. In line with Government Policy there has been a significant increase in the number of consultants working in the health service in recent years and this continued after the introduction of Consultant Contract 2008. There has been an increase of nearly 300 (13%) in the number of consultants (whole time equivalents) employed since June 2008.
