asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the statement that there is a shortage of consultants in Irish hospitals and that about 400 additional appointments will have to be made in order to keep the hospital service working at adequate levels throughout the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Consultants.
9.
I am not aware of any statement of the precise nature referred to by the Deputy. I am aware that a memorandum on medical manpower prepared by a subcommittee of the Irish Medical Association and discussed at their recent conference in Kilarney contained recommendations for increasing the number of consultant posts in hospitals by over 1,000. This would more than double the existing number of posts.
Comhairle na nOspidéal has the statutory function of regulating the number and type of appointments of consultant medical staff in hospitals and it is for that body to decide what should be the appropriate complements of such staff. I might add that I was pleased recently to provide, as part of the Government's job creation programme, the funds necessary in respect of the additional posts approved to date by the comhairle.