Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
709. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the recruitment practices of the HSE with regard to the hiring of consultants as per reports in a newspaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9231/22]
View answerConsultants recruited by the HSE do not have to be appointed to the starting point of the pay scales applicable to the consultant grade. Approved arrangements make provision for the recruitment of a significant proportion of Consultants above the starting point of the pay scale.
An Agreement concluded with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in January 2015 resulted in a 9 point salary scale for 'new entrant' consultants. The Agreement followed engagement between my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE with the Irish Medical Organisation at the LRC. The Agreement included provisions covering incremental credit that would result in consultants commencing at different points on the scale.
The LRC specifically proposed within the Agreement that incremental credit be available up to the 6th point of the salary scales. It recommended that the parties establish a Committee to develop a framework for the application of incremental credit which would take into account relevant and appropriate service and qualifications. The LRC also proposed the membership of the Committee and recommended, that in addition to the framework, the Committee would set the policy and determine how incremental credit would be recognised in such exceptional cases as arise. In addition, the Agreement also provided that Business Cases could be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in exceptional cases seeking sanction for appointment beyond the 6th point of the scales.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform formally sanctioned the provisions of the Agreement and specifically the Incremental Credit proposals within the Agreement on 29th January 2015. Sanction from the Minister for Health issued to the HSE on 3rd February 2015.
The HSE circulated the finalised Framework, developed and agreed by the Committee within the LRC's parameters, to all relevant personnel, hospitals, CHO's and agencies on 15 September 2015. This was followed by a FAQ Guidance Note on 28th September 2015.
Taking account of the recognition given to relevant service and additional qualifications within the Incremental Credit Framework it would be expected that many consultants would not commence at the starting point of the salary scale.
