Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the way he intends to improve the working conditions of non consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13841/13]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health his plans for improving the conditions of non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13849/13]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he proposes to alleviate the pressure on junior doctors as regards their working conditions, when they are working shifts in excess of 36 hours on a regular basis, when many doctors working for surgical services work in house for 56 hours straight at weekends and when there is poor compliance with the EWTD nationally causing potential dangers to both patient and doctor alike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13959/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 73 and 539 together.

The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. I have emphasised to the HSE the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue.

The Health Service Executive’s Service Plan for 2013 specifically recognises the need to address the issue as a priority, stating that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce, in line with the Implementation Plan submitted to the Commission in 2012.

A key priority for the HSE in 2013 will be a further reduction of average weekly hours worked and also a reduction in the duration of shifts undertaken. The Executive is bringing a strong and particular focus to the achievement of compliance with the Directive. New and demanding targets and timescales have been issued to hospital managers and clinical directors and progress on a site-by-site basis will be assessed against these. The HSE has recently established a national group chaired by a senior executive to bring a clear and urgent focus to: implementation of the Directive, assessment of performance and site-by-site accountability for change.

The HSE is also engaging with the training bodies in relation to progressing compliance.

I am satisfied that the HSE is making every effort to improve the working hours of NCHDs which will in turn facilitate the provision of improved and safer delivery of services to patients.