Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the estimated extra cost in 2009 of implementing the new consultant contract; the monitoring system which is in place to ensure that consultants comply with its terms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26338/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Health Service Executive received funding of €140 million in 2009 to cover costs associated with the implementation of Consultant Contract 2008. Under the Consultant Contract 2008 a consultant's reporting relationship and accountability for the discharge of their contract is to the Chief Executive Officer-General Manager of their hospital through the Clinical Director where such is in place.

The HSE is currently progressing the appointment of clinical directors who will have a key role in the implementation of the new consultant's contract. The clinical director will have a pivotal role in monitoring compliance with the agreed ratio of public to private practice taking corrective action where the private practice limit is exceeded. The HSE has instituted reporting systems regarding public and private in-patient and day case activity on a consultant by consultant basis. Reports from these systems, which record individual consultant public and private activity, are being produced on a monthly basis.

A Contract Implementation Committee, comprising representatives of the HSE and the medical organisations, will oversee the implementation of the contractual provisions.