P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of new consultant posts that will be filled in 2009 as opposed to replacement posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45663/08]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 126: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will estimate the approximate number of extra hospital consultants that will be recruited in 2009 following the agreement on a new contract for medical consultants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45494/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 126 together.

Government policy is to increase substantially the number of consultants in the public health service in order to rebalance the ratio between consultant and non-consultant hospital doctors subject to the full implementation of reformed work practices.

The finalisation of the new consultants' contract facilitated the recommencement of the Health Service Executive (HSE) consultant recruitment process. The Executive has advised that its Consultants Appointment Unit has approved 245 consultant posts since April, of which 115 are new posts. To date, 154 posts have been advertised.

The creation and funding of further consultant posts will be driven by service priorities, as reflected in the HSE's Annual Service Plan, and the policy of achieving a better balance between the numbers of consultant and non-consultant hospital doctors.