Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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668. To ask the Minister for Health the procedure involved for medical consultants to establish a private practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50865/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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For a medical consultant to engage in privately remunerated professional medical/dental practice, he/she must be the holder of a Consultant Contract that permits such practice. Over 85% of consultants hold Consultant Contract 2008, Type A, B or B*. Depending on contract type, a consultant may have no access to private practice (Type A contract holders), a cap of 20% private activity for newly appointed consultants (Type B) or a cap of up to 30% in the case of certain existing consultants. A minority of consultants hold Consultants Contract 1997, Category 1, Category 2 or Geographical Wholetime without fees. Category 1 consultants are permitted to engage in private practice on-site. Type B* and Category 2 consultants may engage in private practice off-site. Holders of the 1997 contract are also subject to caps on private activity.

Under the 2008 Contract, professional medical/dental practice carried out for or on behalf of the Mental Health Commission, the Coroner, other Irish statutory bodies or medical education and training bodies, and the provision of expert medical opinion relating to insurance claims, preparation of reports for the Courts and Court attendance shall not be regarded as private practice.