Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful to the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this topical issue. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State but I am disappointed that the Minister for Health is not present to take this. Ten months ago, I tabled a parliamentary question about this issue because it was leading to a revenue loss to the health service. According to the reply I received, the loss was estimated at €76 million. My colleague, Deputy Conway, was informed at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Health and Children in September by Mr. Tony O'Brien, director general of the HSE, that the figure owed then was in the region of €60 million while last week, in reply to Deputy Kieran O'Donnell at a meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts, it was indicated that €74 million was outstanding.

I asked the Minister in January, which is ten months ago, what disciplinary action, if any, could be taken and he indicated at the time that he wanted the issue addressed under the Croke Park agreement. The Department indicated there was no contractual requirement that medical consultants should sign off on health insurance claim forms. Is there a contract with bus drivers to make sure bus fares are collected? There seems to be one rule for high paid public sector workers and another for those on more modest incomes. Under the 1999 contract, a consultant must co-operate with his employing authority for the collection and maintenance of fees and, under the 2008 contract, consultants are expected to work within the framework of the hospital, agency and HSE service plan. The delay in claiming the fees due is having a major effect on cash flow in our hospitals. While I acknowledge the Minister managed to secure an agreement recently that will lead to substantial savings in the State's drugs bill and the Bill currently going through the House to deal with generic substitution and reference pricing must be commended, I am disappointed there has been little or no action on this issue.

What action has been taken to ensure claims are paid promptly and signed off by highly paid consultants? Was it part of the recent discussions with the IMO and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association? If so, will it be implemented? It is unclear if the deal will come into force. There was media speculation on when exactly the matter will be before the Labour Court.

Yesterday evening, we had a debate about home help. Today, we are discussing a topic I raised over ten months ago concerning €74 million. Consultants need to get a grip of themselves and carry out the job they are employed to do. It is part of their responsibility to ensure the hospital service in the HSE is properly funded. For them to shrug their shoulders and say they will not sign means hospital beds lie empty, wards close and people in need do not receive hospital treatment they require and deserve. I hope the Minister of State carries this message loud and clear. It is no longer acceptable in this country for highly paid consultants not to sign off on insurance forms.

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