Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether in the current economic climate pay increases for consultants can be justified; if she will review this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13101/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is proposed to revisit the hospital consultants contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13332/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 227 together.

The new consultants' contract does not represent a pay increase for consultants for doing the same work. Instead it entails a fundamentally different way of working that involves clinicians in the management and leadership of the acute hospital system. The contract ensures clinicians are involved in the management of budgets and that there is one-for-all access to outpatient and ambulatory diagnostic services in our publicly-funded acute hospital system.

The new arrangement is fundamental to the reform of the hospital system. In particular, it involves consultants working more as part of a team, with longer days and more structured cover at weekends. We have sought changes in the contract for almost 30 years and the changes which will happen are significant. The 85% of consultants who have signed on for this new contract will have their public-private mix measured for the first time. This is a fundamental and radical change to the current contract of employment that exists in our hospitals. Last December I indicated that I was not prepared to sanction salary increases for consultants who signed up to the new contract until I was satisfied that the reformed work practices were being implemented and there was a demonstrable benefit to the public health system. The HSE has since undertaken a verification exercise the results of which show that the majority of consultants are demonstrably engaged in the implementation of new work practices.

In the light of the HSE's findings, I am committed to commencing payment of the new contract rates from 1 January 2009. However, since the start of the year, our country's fiscal circumstances have deteriorated rapidly and very seriously. The Government is now formulating far-reaching, comprehensive and integrated measures for a Supplementary Budget to deal with this situation. The intention is to pay the new contract rates and issues may arise in this regard that will be addressed in the context of the budget. However, I intend that this contract will be honoured because it is fundamental to changing the manner in which our public hospitals operate. Without this change, we will not see improved access for public patients.