Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Staffing.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

239 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the situation regarding the appointment of an accident and emergency consultant at the National Children's Hospital, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that Comhairle na nOspidéal has stated that the position was not filled in accordance with the job specifications it laid down; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Comhairle has asked his Department to consider its position regarding funding of the post that was filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22254/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The Department is aware of the situation concerning the appointment of an accident and emergency consultant at the National Children's Hospital, Harcourt Street. The procedures to be followed in the recruitment of consultant staff are a matter, in the first instance, for the employing authority, in this instance the Federated Dublin Voluntary Hospitals which holds the employment contracts of consultants at the National Childrens Hospital. In this case, the Department understands that the person appointed to the post holds a valid contract.

The Department is aware that difficulties have arisen concerning the job specification of the post in question. However, as the regulation of consultant appointments is the statutory responsibility of Comhairle na nOspidéal, the Department is making arrangements to meet the comhairle, the employing authority and the hospital with a view to resolving any residual difficulties.