Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Previous studies have shown that in 2009, average hours worked for all NCHDs were 60 hours per week. It is now down to 52.4. HSE data from 2012 indicated that on average, NCHDs worked 54 hours per week and data for the first six months of this year show an average of 52.4 hours per week. I understand that the number of NCHDs working shifts in excess of 24 hours decreased from 58% in March 2013 to 34% in August. That is progress but we must implement the directive in full by the end of next year.

The establishment of the hospital groups will also empower hospitals to co-operate and share NCHDs when scarcities arise and that will further reduce NCHD hours. In addition, the Minister set up a group chaired by the president of DCU to carry out a strategic review of the medical training and career structures of NCHDs with a view to retention of the number of graduates in the public health system. An interim report on that will be produced in November 2013.

I mentioned the scale of reductions in terms of patient services because of this. It is already Government policy that those waiting longest should be prioritised and the IMO has confirmed, as the Deputy is aware, that same level of staffing as is normally provided on Sundays will be in place. Following discussions at the LRC over recent weeks, a joint IMO-HSE verification and implementation process has been proposed. This has already begun and will continue through October. Actions to change rosters and revise work practices identified during that process will be implemented in November. Implementation and achievement of a maximum 24-hour shift would then be jointly verified by the HSE and the IMO.

After 14 years of doing nothing, the Minister has brought this to a point where, on average, working hours are 52.4 and where we hope that by the end of next year, the working time directive will be implemented in all hospitals. As I pointed out to Deputy Adams, some specialist areas are already fully compliant and discussions are ongoing about the others. Let me repeat that Sinn Féin's proposal to have a top rate of 59% with the USC will drive every worker, business and entrepreneur out of the country.

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