Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 1

Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.

Brendan Kenneally

Ceist:

282 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that from 1 July 2001 there will be no consultant oncologist in the South-Eastern Health Board area; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that part of the delay in finding a replacement is the system that operates to appoint consultants; if he will take steps to ensure that a more streamlined approach is put in place in order that such a situation cannot arise again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19970/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Approval has been given by my Department and funding provided for the appointment of two consultant oncologists in the South-Eastern Health Board area. The recruitment of staff is matter for the board and the Local Appointments Commission.

A joint working group, comprising representatives of the Department of Health and Children, the health boards and Comhairle na nOspidéal, has examined the procedures currently in place for making consultant appointments. The group recognised that the time taken to fill permanent consultant posts in health boards and some voluntary hospitals is too long. There is a need for a more co-ordinated approach to the management of the process of planning, funding, regulation, recruitment and filling of permanent consultant posts. This has been recognised by all the parties involved including the Department of Health and Children, the employing authorities, Comhairle na nOspidéal and the Local Appointments Commission and steps are being taken to improve this.