Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 299: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the extent to which European best practice standards in terms of medical staff per 1,000 of population are being achieved in the various disciplines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21272/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Based on figures supplied by the World Health Organisation, Ireland had, in 2003, 2.58 physicians per 1,000 of population. The EU average for 2003 was 3.45. However, the World Health Organisation has stated that international comparisons between countries should be made with caution. Health data recording and handling systems and practices vary between countries as do the availability and accuracy of data reported to the World Health Organisation.

The Deputy may be interested to know that Government policy has been to substantially increase the number of hospital consultants. In this context, it should be noted that the number of approved consultant posts has risen from 1,440 at 1 January 2000 to 1,947 at 1 January 2005, an increase of 507, 35%. This trend will be further increased throughout the next decade in line with the recommendations of the report of the national task force on medical staffing. This report recommended that the number of consultant posts be increased by approximately 1,800 by 2013 in order to improve patient care and ensure better patient access to 24-hour services.

Given the large numbers of staff employed and the unique nature of the services being delivered, a coherent, strategic approach to workforce and human resource planning needs to be developed further. This should be aligned closely with strategic objectives and the service planning process. The Health Service Executive, having responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services under the Health Act 2004, will be centrally involved in the development of an integrated workforce planning strategy for the health sector.