Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Chairman. One of my questions, No. 4 on the list, raised the issue that out of a budget of more than €13 billion, €3.4 billion is going to organisations and agencies that are not under the direct control of the Health Service Executive. I have received a number of telephone calls in recent months from people inquiring about salary scales in these bodies. I was advised, for example, that one particular organisation is paying its chief executive officer more than €340,000. We should remember that these individuals are being paid from taxpayers' money. The response to the question states: "This matter is currently being addressed jointly between the HSE and the Department of Health with a view to bringing the pay rates of Section 38 agencies into line with the DoH salary scales and a pay policy will issue shortly in this regard". Does this response indicate that a number of these organisations are paying salaries far in excess of the remuneration for an equivalent post in the HSE?

Another question I tabled relates to the junior doctor dispute, an issue I have been pursuing for two years. While I welcome the proposed agreement on this matter and hope it will bring a resolution to the recent dispute, it does not address the issue of long-term planning pertaining to junior doctors. I am concerned that the number of such doctors coming in from abroad is declining while the number of Irish graduates leaving the country is increasing. How will that vacuum be filled for 2014 and 2015? We must have a new approach to the matter. The Minister has set up a review to examine the issue whereby more than 2,000 of the 4,900 junior doctors currently working in our hospitals are on six-month contracts. When are we likely to see decisive action in that regard? Unless there is immediate action, a staff shortage will inevitably arise.

I also tabled a question, No. 3 on the list, regarding the number of vacancies for consultant posts in hospitals. The answer I received this morning is different from the reply given to a parliamentary question put down by Deputy Gerry Adams last December. There is a variation of more than 200 as between the two replies.

Would it be possible to obtain clarification in respect of this matter? I am not satisfied that the figure supplied to me is correct and I would appreciate it if the position were clarified.