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Hospital Staff Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Questions (424)

Frank O'Rourke

Question:

424. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health further to the findings of the Public Service Pay Commission report, which identified problems with recruitment and retention of hospital consultants, his plans to resolve this crisis in view of the fact that the lack of consultants and unfilled posts is a contributory factor to the lengthy hospital waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39883/18]

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Written answers

The Government remains committed to increasing the consultant workforce to support service delivery and to move to a consultant delivered service. Notwithstanding recruitment and retention challenges, the number of consultants employed in the public health services has increased by 118 in the 12 months to end August 2018 and by 479 in the past five years. Where vacancies exist, the HSE endeavours to fill essential posts on a locum or temporary contract basis to support service delivery. The HSE is also committed to improving the recruitment process, offering contracts to the Hospital Group rather than individual sites and focusing on family friendly arrangements.

The Public Service Pay Commission concluded a review in respect of key health service grades, including consultants. With regard to recruitment of consultants, the Commission stated that the aggregate level of vacancies for consultant posts at the end of 2017 and evidence of low level of applications for recruitment campaigns would suggest a general difficulty recruiting consultants.

In terms of pay, it also identified the two-tier pay system as being one of number of factors affecting recruitment and found that the differential in pay between pre-existing and new entrant consultants is greater than for other categories of public servants. The Commission proposed that the Parties to the Public Service Stability Agreement jointly consider what further measures could be taken, over time, to address this difficulty.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department and the HSE have noted the Commission's views and consideration will need to be given to potential solutions which are in line with public sector pay policy and available budgets.

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