Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1993

Vol. 431 No. 6

Written Answers. - Discrimination Against Women in Health Service.

Liz McManus

Ceist:

118 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the comments by a person (details supplied) concerning discrimination against women in the medical profession; if he has satisfied himself that training programmes and existing career paths are structured so as to permit successful participation by women; if, in particular, he has any proposals to improve maternity leave provisions for members of the medical profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

134 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on a recent survey (details supplied) that one in six women non-consultant hospital doctors have on occasions taken their rings off to hide the fact that they were married; the proposals, if any, he has to deal with the alleged discrimination against women in the health service; and the steps, if any, he intends to take to redress the current gender imbalance in this area.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 134 together.

The concerns of female non-consultant hospital doctors in relation to alleged discrimination have been addressed in the report of a group representative of my Department, Comhairle na nOspideal and the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board which was recently presented to me.

The group undertook a comprehensive examination of the number and distribution of consultant and non-consultant hospital doctor posts in acute hospitals. The report recommends a number of strategies designed to achieve an equitable mix and distribution of medical manpower throughout the country.

I am still studying the Group's report and I intend to formally circulate it for discussion to all relevant parties. In the meantime, I would prefer not to comment on any of the specific recommendations pending completion of the consultation process.