Professor Alan Irvine:

I do not think we should get too distracted by soundbite headlines regarding large sums of money being released. When Sláintecare was devised, the IHCA, which represents 3,200 members, was not invited to present to the committee. It will be interesting, therefore, as we roll out Sláintecare and I think we will need better engagement with people who represent future colleagues to fill these vacancies. These contracts must be flexible, multifaceted and locally delivered. There will not be a single silver bullet contract that will fill every vacancy in every discipline that we need filled in our health service.