Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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644. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of any special arrangements that exist in relation to the employment of consultants in St. Vincent's hospital, outside the terms of the standard consultant contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6832/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Most hospital consultants are employed under the Consultant Contract 2008. Over 85% of consultants hold this contract, as Type A, B or B* contract holders.

Type A contract holders have no access to private practice. Type B contract holders are subject to a cap of 20% private activity on-site, if newly appointed, or a cap of up to 30% on-site in the case of certain existing consultants. Type B* contract holders may engage in private practice on-site and off-site.

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. Category 2 consultants may engage in private practice on-site and off-site.

The right of Type B* (2008 Contract) and Category 2 (1997 Contract) consultants to engage in private practice off-site is subject to certain conditions. These conditions include such private practice being confined to periods outside the aggregate hourly weekly commitment and other scheduled commitments to the public service.

My Department has written to the HSE requesting that it satisfies itself that all hospitals are enforcing consultants' contractual provisions regarding private practice, specifically drawing its attention to assertions made concerning academic teaching hospitals in Dublin not being compliant with the contractual provisions.