James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The number of consultants has been increasing year on year, and that has been the case for the past number of years. In 2011, there were 2,470; in 2010 there were 2,410; in 2012 there was a further increase to 2,510 and last year the figure increased to 2,560. Year on year we are not only replacing those who are leaving but also adding to the total number. However, I must return to the point that there are certain areas and certain specialties that pose difficulties and we are examining innovative ways of trying to address that. The McCraith report will help in that regard.

The new salary scale, which starts at anywhere between €116,000 and €122,000 is a considerable sum of money and compares extremely favourably with the UK, where the starting salary is £80,000 or €100,000. People are wont to compare immediately with America, Canada and the wealthier nations, but that salary is for somebody who is just finished their training to be a consultant. I do not expect a consultant who has worked abroad as an associate professor of cardiology or whatever for ten years to come back here and start on that salary rate. That would not be appropriate. In all walks of life, people get paid a certain amount more for the additional experience they have.

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