David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total number of approved consultant posts; the total number of consultant posts currently vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1735/11]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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One of the main recommendations of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing in 2003 was to increase the number of consultants and to reduce the number of NCHD posts in order to create a consultant-provided service.

The Health Service Executive has advised that there are currently 2,439 approved consultant posts. The number of consultants employed as at 30 November 2010 was 2,450. This figure, however, includes locum, temporary and part-time appointments. Given the manner in which consultant posts are filled it is not possible to provide a precise figure for vacancies.

The move to a consultant provided service is also reflected in the 2008 contract. This provided for consultants to work as part of a team over an extended working day of 8am to 8pm, an increase in the length of the working week and also structured weekend work. It is also provided for in the HSE's Employment Control Framework which allows for new hospital consultant posts to be created by the suppression of two NCHD posts.