Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for clarifying the matter as I want to know if there are cases of people waiting more than 18 months to be seen. When I inquire and get the details, the story turns out to be a little different, as it has in this case too.

I visited Letterkenny in the past two weeks and met representatives of the cancer campaign and community groups - that was a very good meeting - and the general manager. That issue was raised specifically, including concerns around urology. I share those concerns. I would be surprised if the Senator did not know it already but ministerial approval is neither sought nor needed to appoint a consultant and my Department does not approve consultant posts any more than the Minister for Education and Skills approves teaching posts. Perhaps she does but when it comes to health, it has not been the case, if it was ever the case, that consultant posts would require departmental or ministerial approval. Such posts require the approval of the national consultant advisory committee, which is a body within the HSE that examines how posts are structured and whether they are sustainable. It will modify posts and, for example, sometimes want a post to be changed in order that a new person taking a post would do weekends or extended hours, leading to an enhanced service. Any new appointment must go through that committee.

I am not aware of any delay in approving that post but I will make inquiries and revert to the Senator.