Vol. 417 No. 5
234 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the plans, if any, he has to rectify the situation whereby Ireland has only 60 consultant paediatricians which represents the lowest number of consultant paediatricians per head of child population in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The ratio of consultant paediatricians per thousand children aged 0-14 in Ireland is 0.06. Comparisons with other European countries are difficult because of the absence of a standard definition of a consultant or specialist. In addition, larger European countries may have a greater range of paediatric sub-specialisation making valid comparison even more difficult.
Ireland compares favourably with our nearest neighbours in the United Kingdom where it is easier to make comparisons due to the similarity of the structure of the medical profession. The relevant ratios are as follows: Ireland, 0.06; England and Wales, 0.08; Scotland, 0.09; Northern Ireland 0.05.
The higher ratios in England and Wales and Scotland may be attributable in part to the fact that the complement of consultant paediatricians may not have fallen in line with the fall in the population in the 0-14 age group in those countries.
