Micheál Martin
Question:854. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the policy decisions he has taken to address the shortage of consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35579/17]
View answerWednesday, 26 July 2017
Questions (854, 855)
Micheál Martin
Question:855. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the status of the consultant contract; his plans to change same; his plans to address shortages and other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35580/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 854 and 855 together.
The number of consultants has increased significantly in recent years though there are ongoing challenges in filling posts. At the end of June 2017 there were 2,883 whole-time equivalents. This constitutes an increase of 296 since June 2014 and an increase of almost 700 in the past decade. The number of NCHDs has also increased significantly, from 4,943 at the end of June 2014 to 6,058 at the end of April 2017, in order to support workforce planning, service delivery and progression of compliance with the provisions of the European Working Time Directive.
In February 2017 the HSE published ‘Successful Consultant Recruitment, Appointment and Retention’. This report analyses the current operational and administrative barriers to efficient creation, and approval of and recruitment to Consultant posts. It examines the factors influencing applications for such posts and related workforce and service planning, delays in the application and approval process, the implementation of the Health Service Executive’s regulatory functions, the interaction between the range of agencies involved in Consultant recruitment and how successful candidates are supported in the early stages of appointment. The report proposes actions to address each of these issues and these actions are currently being implemented.
It is Government policy to have a consultant provided public health service. For that reason, I continue to support the education and training of NCHDs, and the recruitment of additional consultants to the sector. In July 2013, a Working Group, chaired by Prof Brian MacCraith, President, Dublin City University, was established to carry out a strategic review to examine and make high-level recommendations relating to training and career pathways for doctors. Implementation of the recommendations of the Group continues to be a priority for me, my Department, and the Health Service Executive. Giving effect to one of the Group's key recommendations, agreement at the WRC in January 2015 has substantially restored pay for new entrant consultants.
The Programme for Government provides for negotiation of a new consultant's contract. However, it should be noted that there are approximately 800 consultants pursuing High Court cases in respect of increases in pay provided for in the 2008 Consultant Contract. The then Government determined in 2009 that the increases could not be paid given the economic downturn and the need to use all available health funding on the provision of services. This Government intends to vigorously defend these cases.