Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The problem we have is that a lot of the smaller hospitals around the country still have shortages of general doctors.

Another problem arising - I know it does not come under the remit of the Minister of State's Department but it is something we need to look at - is doctors transferring from one hospital to another and being on emergency tax. It is causing huge frustration and there needs to be more co-ordination between Departments on it. The Minister of State talked about going across his Department and the Department of Health. His Department is also going across the Department Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. That is a big issue as regards people being on emergency tax for a long time. It is frustrating people and they are tending to say "I am getting out of here" because of the tax structure and the lack of a more structured process. Once a person gets one contract, they should not have to go onto emergency tax if they move in six months' time. That is not an issue for the Minister of State's Department but it is a case of all Departments needing to work together to try to make sure we streamline the process for these people who are coming into this country and providing a valuable service.

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