Mr. Barry O'Brien:

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin referred to non-consultant hospital doctors. In the context of our overall plan for self-sufficiency in terms of the projection for consultant numbers, general practitioners and other medical specialties, we are increasing the number of intern places year on year, with an overall increase to 740 by 2014. The note for the committee clearly sets out the preparation that has been done to deal specifically with the July intake. There has been a number of distinct approaches to this. As the Minister said, the introduction of the hospital groups will bring a fundamental change in that all resources will be group resources, with the capacity of the chief executive officer and clinical director of those groups to redeploy key personnel in order to meet service needs where they arise. This structure will afford a greater flexibility to deliver services where they are needed, including the deployment of medical personnel. There are several areas in which issues have arisen, but we are dealing with them by way of a number of recruitment initiatives. The hospital groups will bring a changed dynamic in terms of how we use our manpower resources in meeting service needs.