Mr. Barry O'Brien:

It is correct to say that approximately 28 to 30 of our hospitals out of the overall 50 used some agency. In some instances it could be quite small but in other cases there is a greater dependency. All of the training posts are filled. The remaining percentage are posts in-service. We continue to work with the training bodies to increase the number of training posts and opportunities for doctors. It is an issue that we continue to use agencies and we are working diligently to reduce their use. On the type of contracts we are offering, I have no doubt the group the Minister will challenge with delivering the timely report will look at the way the training modules and contractual modules need to be reviewed and a parallel approach needs to be taken to avoid the position outlined by Deputy Mitchell O’Connor where one has to go around every six months presenting oneself. The challenge is in changing the thinking about how one structures the training programme and to match the contracts of employment to meet that.