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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 6

Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.

Monica Barnes

Ceist:

59 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he will take to make hospital systems more female friendly; to encourage the appointment of more female consultants; and to promote gender equality in the appointment of consultants. [14545/00]

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

154 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the action, if any, he will take to make hospital systems more female friendly, to encourage the appointment of more female consultants and to promote gender equality in the appointment of consultants. [14552/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 154 together.

The recruitment of consultants is a matter for individual hospitals and the local appointments commission. The criteria for appointment are laid down by Comhairle na nOspidéal. All health service organisations are equal opportunities employers and adhere to best practice in recruitment.

The imbalance between the number of male and female consultants has been a cause for concern for some time. It is a major item on the work programme of the Forum on Medical Manpower. A considerable amount of work has been undertaken with young female doctors with a view to identifying the factors which inhibit their progression to the senior levels of hospital medicine. The interim report of the forum, which is nearing completion, will contain a number of proposals to address this problem.
One of the objectives of the plan for women's health is the creation of a woman friendly health service. The Deputy will be aware that the Women's Health Council has been established on a statutory basis and is charged with overseeing the implementation of the women's health plan.
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