Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
789. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the different types of consultant contracts in place, a brief explanation of what each contract entails; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16538/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present four contract types, originally introduced in 2008, are in place for offering to hospital consultants in the public health service:
- Contract Type A - requires a full public patient commitment, and with significantly higher rates of public salary than the contract types that permit private practice. Consultants holding a Type A contract commit not to engage in privately remunerated professional practice.
- Contract Type B - Consultants holding a Type B contract may undertake private practice on-site, up to a limit of 20% of activity.
- Contract Type B* - Consultants holding a B* Contract previously held a 1997 contract before transferring to the 2008 contract. They may engage in on-site and off-site private practice, and their private practice activity in the public hospital is subject to a 20% maximum limit (serving consultants whose private practice in 2006 was greater than 20% are permitted to retain this higher ratio, subject to an overriding maximum ratio of 70:30%).
- Contract Type C - Consultants holding a Type C Contract may engage in on-site and off-site private practice. Their inpatient and outpatient private practice activity in the public hospital is subject to the 20% maximum limit.
All of the contract types entail provisions for other aspects of the employment relationship, including probation period, reporting relationship, hours, salary, superannuation, and other elements.
