Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 2

Written Answers. - Hospital Staffing.

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

40 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason that the Hanly Report on Medical Manpower has not yet been published despite the promises prior to the summer recess that it would be published within a matter of weeks; if the report has yet been brought to Government; if the report recommends a substantial increase in the number of hospital consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22514/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The report of the national task force on medical staffing has been under consideration by Government during the period referred to by the Deputy. The report will be published shortly. I expect that the report will set out measures to reduce the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors in line with the European working time directive; propose changes to medical education and training; recommend a substantial increase in the number of hospital consultants working under a new contract and outline necessary changes in the organisation of acute hospital services.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

41 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has completed his consideration of the implications for the health service of the planned reduction in public service numbers through natural wastage over the next three years; if it has been completed; the implications for staffing levels in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22521/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The Deputy will be aware of the Government's budget day decision of 4 December 2002 that total public service employment is to be reduced by 5,000 over the three-year period to end 2005. My Department subsequently initiated consultations with each health board with a view to identifying measures which could be taken in the health service to contribute to the overall reduction required.

In formulating proposals for the health service for the implementation of the planned reduction in employment levels, a key objective was, of course, to ensure that full account was taken of priorities in service provision and in particular the need to minimise the impact of the reduction in employment on front-line service delivery.

In this context, in view of the high proportion of the total health service employees in front-line service delivery roles, the Government has recently decided that the contribution of the health service to the planned overall reduction should be limited to 600 personnel in whole-time equivalent terms over the three-year period to end 2005. This will require that the national employment ceiling for the health service be reduced from 96,000 to 95,800 by end-year.

The national 200 post reduction is being applied across the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority based on current employment ceilings.

The reduction in the regional employment level over the next three months is to be achieved by maximising the benefit of natural wastage, through detailed scrutiny of replacement recruitment in the health service and non-filling of any non-essential posts with specific emphasis on posts that are not directly involved in the delivery of front-line services. It is intended that this approach will, as much as possible, minimise any adverse impact on existing levels of service to the public in key areas.

The implementation of the arrangements are to be undertaken in a manner consistent with agreed protocols for consultation with staff representatives at local level, and in conformity with the provisions set out in Sustaining Progress for the maintenance of a stable industrial relations environment.