Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise again an issue I raised a number of weeks ago on why we are facing a problem with junior doctors. In fairness to the Minister, he has dealt with it in the best way he can in a very short time but the issue which caused the problem was the centralisation of job applications and the lack of consultation between HSE management and local management on what vacancies will arise.

Many new junior doctors will begin working in two to three weeks but many of them will be on six-month or 12-month contracts. The jobs of those on six-month contracts will be vacant on 1 January. It is appropriate that the Minister come to the House and explain what action will be taken to ensure this problem will not arise again on 1 January. Many of the jobs that will be vacant on 1 January 2012 will have to be advertised by the end of August. It is important to get clarification on this matter to ensure the same mistakes made for the period commencing 1 July will not occur again on 1 January. The procedure whereby people get six-month or 12 month contracts should be reformed. Most Irish junior doctors can go to the UK and receive two, three or four-year contracts between various hospitals. There is a mess in HSE with regard to the lack of continuity. We need to examine this and I call on the Minister to come to the House to debate this issue.