Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which non-consultant hospital doctors in this jurisdiction require remuneration in line with other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14008/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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At the outset I wish to acknowledge the critical role played by NCHDs in the provision of our health services. I am deeply aware of the need to facilitate the recruitment of NCHDs and to ensure that posts are sufficiently attractive in terms of future career development, working conditions and remuneration. Most NCHDs are recruited by the postgraduate training bodies for placement in training posts. Approximately 15% of NCHDs are recruited to non-training posts. I have recently emphasised to the HSE the need to focus on reducing NCHDs working hours and, as part of this process, to ensure that they undertake duties appropriate to the grade.

Government public sector pay policy is driven by the requirement to achieve savings and attain sustainability. In order to restore the public finances it has been necessary to implement reductions in remuneration that apply across the Public Service. These reductions have been applied to NCHDs in the same manner as other staff with comparable levels of remuneration.

While deficits in the NCHD workforce have arisen in recent years, the HSE response has ensured that there has been little, if any, service reduction arising from problems filling posts and that most posts are now filled.