The provision of services at Bantry General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance.
I do not have any application from the board for financial clearance for the creation of new consultant posts for Bantry General Hospital. However I understand that, at the request of the Southern Health Board, Comhairle na nOspidéal has established a committee to discuss with the board the question of future consultant staffing at the hospital.
I will consider any proposal for additional consultant appointments in the context of available resources and the priority accorded to it by the board with a view to ensuring that services to patients at Bantry General Hospital are in line with principles of best practice.
My Department gave approval last year for the filling of an additional 42 posts across medical, nursing, non-nursing and paramedical areas during the period 2000-01.