Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 3

Written Answers. - Non-permanent Consultant Posts.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

38 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of non-permanent consultants providing specialist service in the public sector; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that long-term non-permanent consultants will have regarding their exclusion from the specialist register of the Medical Council which is due to be mandatory by January 2003; the steps he intends to take to resolve these difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19202/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The information on the number of non-permanent consultants in the public health service requested by the Deputy is not immediately available in my Department. I have requested the chief executive officer of each health board, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the voluntary hospitals outside of Dublin to provide this information to the Deputy at their earliest convenience.

I am aware that the requirements in relation to the establishment of the specialist register will have particular implications for some doctors. My Department is keeping this matter under review.