John Bruton
Ceist:259 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of doctors per 1,000 people; and the way in which this compares with the European average. [19675/01]
Written Answers. - Doctor Statistics.
Ireland's ratio of doctors to population is 2.3 per 1,000. The European average is 3.5 per 1,000.
It is important to note that the number of doctors working in the Irish public health service is increasing each year. Over the past decade the number of NCHD posts in Ireland increased by 48%. Over the same period the number of hospital consultant posts has risen by 40% with an increase of 120 consultant posts last year.
The Deputy may be aware that the report of the Medical Manpower Forum sets out proposals for the re-structuring of the medical workforce both in the context of changed work patterns and a consultant delivered service. The next stage is to quantify the costs, following which the Government will reconsider the proposals. A detailed quantification of the resource implications will now be undertaken. This assessment will form part of the functions of the national task force.