Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive issued a tender (details supplied) for the procurement of non-consultant hospital doctors and consultants to regularise the industry and safeguard hospitals and patients and that despite successful tenderers having signed service level agreements with the HSE, the HSE has still not implemented the tender; her views on this delay and its impact on patient safety; when the agreements will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5895/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. It is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public.

In relation to the tender process referred to by the Deputy, the HSE has advised that the intention is to appoint successful parties onto a Framework Agreement for the provision of Recruitment Agency Services for NCHDs and Consultants. This Framework will require these parties to sign formal service level agreements ensuring full compliance with the HSE's requirements. The Framework Agreement has been signed off by the HSE and the Recruitment Agencies and covers the terms for engagement with multiple suppliers for the next two to four years. It is intended to finalise and implement year one of this Agreement in February 2010.