Hospital Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2016

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Questions (81)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

81. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health why he has not honoured commitments by his predecessor to fund academic appointments to University Hospital Waterford in the context of the reconfiguration of acute hospital services in the south east; if an agreement was entered into in 2013 to fund a number of specific posts at the hospital over an initial five year period; if he will issue a direction in the closing days of Dáil Éireann to honour this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3938/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department is keen to progress academic linkages between hospital groups and their academic partners. The Deputy can therefore be assured that my Department supports the development of academic and teaching capacity at University Hospital Waterford, and recognises the benefits that this will bring in terms of clinical standards and the ability to attract and retain clinical staff. However, my Department does not directly fund clinical posts; this is a matter in the first instance for the South/South West Hospital Group and the HSE.

It is the case that Hospital Groups, and indeed the HSE, must manage competing priorities for funds and posts. In order to progress these particular posts, they must first be prioritised within the Hospital Group, and a business case submitted to the HSE Acute Hospitals Division for consideration and prioritisation in the national context. My understanding is that this work is in train.