Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the problems arising in the Cork area from the delay in replacing two consultants (details supplied) attached to the Cork University Hospital; and the steps she is taking to deal with this matter. [17479/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote. The HSE has advised my Department that the first of the two vacancies in question occurred on 15th August 2006 when the post holder retired. A locum took up duty in the post on 11th September, 2006. The second vacancy arose unexpectedly in on 27th March, 2007 when the post holder retired on health grounds. A locum for that post took up duty on 24th April, 2007.

The HSE has already sought to fill one of the consultant posts in an open competition through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). However, no appointment was made following this competition. Arrangements are now in place to seek to fill both posts through the PAS. Pending the filling of the positions on a permanent basis, the HSE has advised that the locum consultants will remain in place.