Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is her policy to bring in public only contracts for consultants. [35510/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Proposals for a new employment contract for consultants working in the public health system have been tabled by the management side in the context of the consultants' contract negotiations, which will resume shortly.

The new contract will be a first step towards the introduction of a consultant-provided service and the appointment of large numbers of dedicated public hospital and community based consultants, working in teams. This will be matched by a reduction in the number of non-consultant hospital doctors.

The precise nature of the public hospital commitment will be a matter for negotiation by the parties involved.