Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the timetable for the delivery of a new consultants' contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7556/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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New Contractual arrangements for medical consultants were agreed with their representative organisations, the IHCA and the IMO, in 2008 following more than four years of protracted and detailed negotiations. Currently 2,121 consultants hold the 2008 Contract while approximately 200 consultants continue to work under the 1997 Contract. The 2008 contract provides for consultants to work as part of a team over an extended working day of 8 am to 8 pm, an increase in the length of the working week and also structured weekend work. It also includes new private practice provisions ranging from a total prohibition on such practice to an upper limit of 20% for newly appointed consultants.

The successful implementation of Consultant Contract 2008 continues to be a priority for my Department and the Health Service Executive. The Executive has been focussing, in particular, on provisions aimed at maximising consultant availability to public patients.

Changes to the conditions of employment of any health professional working in the public health service will be considered in the context of reform of the health services as set out in the Programme for Government and changes to the model for delivery of services. The consultant contract will also be considered having regard to the broader industrial relations framework, including the Public Services Agreement, and the changed economic circumstances that the Government has to address.