Written answers

Tuesday, 20 February 2007

Department of Health and Children

Hospital Staff

10:00 am

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to address the impasse with hospital consultants regarding consultant contracts; her deadline for agreement on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6228/07]

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the renegotiation of the contract for hospital consultants; the discussions she has had with the Health Service Executive in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6287/07]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to reach the targets that she set with regard to the consultant contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6268/07]

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 201: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the status of the talks with consultants; if the category two contract will continue; the main changes she envisages for the common contract; and the approximate salary she envisages for public only consultants. [6296/07]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 176, 192, 195 and 201 together.

As the Deputies may be aware talks between management and the medical organisations representing medical consultants (Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) on a new consultant contract resumed in November 2006 on the basis of a formula devised by the independent chairman, Mr. Mark Connaughton. Further documents were tabled by management but difficulties were encountered, however, in these negotiations due to objections by the medical organisations to arrangements adopted by the Health Service Executive in relation to Category II Consultant appointments.

On 25th January 2007 the chairman issued a report to the parties that conveys his opinion that in order for constructive talks to take place: there should be an unequivocal agreement between the parties that there would be unconditional negotiations for a defined period of time; an agreed agenda must be drawn up by the parties; outline responses must be exchanged in writing between the parties on the various issues; a mechanism must be established to deal with issues arising in relation to the current contract; the parties should be represented by smaller teams; confidentiality should be observed by all parties; and the framework within which any agreement could be concluded should be worked out in greater detail.

Both parties have agreed to reconvene negotiations. These talks are scheduled to begin today. Both I and officials of my Department have been in regular contact with the Health Service Executive regarding the negotiations. Issues such as the retention of the Category II post will be dealt with in the talks process. In relation to the costing of the new contract — this will undertaken by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. This body has reviewed the salaries of medical consultants for a number of years and thus has the experience and expertise required to set the appropriate level of remuneration for a new consultant contract. Finally I am pleased that the negotiations have recommenced today.

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