Professor Eilis McGovern:

I am very keen to answer the question. The training bodies select doctors for training and give them training agreements, which are signed by both parties, for between two and six years, depending on the specific programme. The training programme consists of placements in SHO or registrar posts in hospitals. That contract of employment rests with the employer - either the HSE or a HSE-funded voluntary hospital, for example. They are two separate processes and unfortunately it is not possible to give somebody a contract of employment for more than a year because the NCHD contract, which is agreed with the IMO, is for a maximum of one year. Mr. Condon might confirm that I am correct.