Vol. 395 No. 5
77 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement in relation to the difficulties in attracting Irish non-consultant hospital doctors to work in this country because of better working conditions and facilities abroad; and the number of foreign doctors working in our health services.
There have been substantial improvements in the remuneration and conditions of non-consultant hospital doctors in recent years. Arising from the implementation of Labour Court Recommendation No. 11840, which issued in May 1988, a 65-hour week has been introduced for the majority of non-consultant hospital doctors, together with significantly improved overtime rates. Consequently, non-consultant hospital doctors are working fewer hours for enhanced levels of remuneration.
There has been an increase in the number of non-national doctors working in our health service, accompanied by an increase in the number of Irish medical graduates migrating abroad, many of them seeking additional training with a view to returning to Ireland. I am aware of concern among non-consultant hospital doctors at what they perceive as a lack of career opportunities and to clarify this issue, my Department are currently finalising a discussion document on medical manpower planning. It is my intention to publish the document in the near future and I will then be engaging in consultations with interested parties about its contents.
