Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Minister for Health the number of consultant positions advertised since the announcement of a 30% pay cut in 2012 for such positions; the number of applications received for the posts; the number of applications accepted; the number of appointments offered; the number of offers of such appointments rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4728/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to revert to the Deputy with the precise details sought. There were an additional 143 consultants (WTE's) employed at the end of December 2013 compared with the end of December 2010.

The HSE advised my Department at the start of this week that 104 posts had been advertised at the reduced rates and that, to-date, 36 posts had been filled under these rates. Other posts are at various stages of the recruitment process. It has not been possible to recruit candidates for 15 posts.

It is appreciated that the 30% reduction decided in September 2012 for future ‘new entrant’ appointments represented a substantial reduction in the rate of pay for consultants. However, it was a necessary measure, given the challenging economic circumstances. If the health services are to continue to provide consultant-level opportunities for doctors this can only happen on the basis of a lower-cost model.

It should be noted that there are some specialities in which there is an international shortage of consultants and which have traditionally been difficult to fill, regardless of the salary scale. There are also some hospitals to which it has been difficult to attract applicants – in particular smaller hospitals that have onerous rosters due to the limited number of consultants. The establishment of the Hospital Groups will assist in addressing this difficulty.

I have already stated that consultants who move posts and consultants coming from abroad should have their experience and specialist training recognised. The HSE has submitted initial views to my Department in relation to recognising such experience and training.