Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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1110. To ask the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the working conditions of non consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35102/13]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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1114. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that no doctor is allowed to work more than a 24 hour shift. [35133/13]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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1122. To ask the Minister for Health the current regulations regarding hours worked by non-consultant hospital doctors; if Irish hospitals are compliant with labour law in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35175/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1110, 1114 and 1122 together.

S.I. No. 494 of 2004 European Communities (Organisation of Working Time) (Activities of Doctors in Training) Regulations 2004, which transposed the EU Working Time Directive, provides for:

- A maximum 48 hour average working week;

- A 30 minute rest break every 6 hours during period on-site on-call;

- 11 hours rest every 24 hours or equivalent compensatory rest before return to work;

- 35 hours continuous rest per week or twice a fortnight or 59 hours continuous rest per fortnight.

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, and also the need to address NCHDs working conditions more generally.

The Health Service Executive's Service Plan for 2013 specifically recognises the need to address EWTD compliance in the short-term. Key objectives in 2013 are a reduction of average weekly hours worked and a reduction in the duration of shifts undertaken.

The HSE has established a National Group to bring a clear and urgent focus to: implementation of the Directive, assessment of performance and site-by-site accountability for change. The objective is to achieve compliance by the end of 2014. The Group has engaged with management in each hospital regarding implementation plans and accountability. The immediate focus is to ensure that no doctor works more than 68 hours per week and that none work shifts (including on-call) of longer than 24 hours at a time.

The HSE is also conscious of the need to implement other measures to improve the working conditions of NCHDs, including protection of training time, the implementation of formal bleep policies and the transfer of tasks often inappropriately undertaken by NCHDs to more appropriate staff.

I am keeping this matter under ongoing review so as to ensure that the HSE, to the maximum extent possible, reduces the average working hours of NCHDs and implements other measures to improve their working conditions. Progressing compliance is a key priority which will in turn facilitate the provision of improved and safer delivery of services to patients.