Departmental Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

Questions (558)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

558. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health to seek information from the management of all acute hospitals as to whether third party companies are contracted to provide medical consultation, advice, reading of scans and so on, outside of normal working hours, where consultants are already employed and on call for the same acute hospital; if so, the reasons for same; if a lack of IT systems are to blame for such an occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5540/24]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a operational matter, I referred this question to the HSE for answer. Additionally, the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October 2023. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.