Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Health if reductions in fees paid to hospital consultants have been accounted for in his budget 2012 Estimates; the level by which they will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40243/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There are no proposals at present to reduce the remuneration of hospital consultants. My immediate priority is to achieve more effective implementation of the existing contract so that patients get faster access to services and achieve better outcomes within the budgets available to hospitals. I believe there is plenty of scope under the existing contract and the Croke Park agreement to achieve greater productivity from consultants. For example, increased consultant participation in patient discharges at weekends could more quickly free up beds for emergency admissions. I am satisfied that considerable efficiencies can be achieved under the terms of the 2008 contract, if consultants embrace this reform agenda.

The 2008 Consultant contract provides for an extended working day, an increase in the length of the working week and structured weekend work, with consultants working as part of a team delivering the Clinical Directorate Service Plan and focusing on greater equity in the provision of care. I believe that the efficiencies, productivity increases and reform, that can be achieved, will be worth more to the health system than simply reducing the pay of consultants.