Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Health to set down his Department’s estimate of the cost of compensating hospital consultants in the wake of the HSE decision not to appeal the 2015 ruling of the Employment Appeals Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4650/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE decided not to appeal two awards made under payment of wages legislation to two consultants. Separately and distinct from the EAT cases, about 500 consultants have initiated High Court cases in respect of the increase that they would have expected from 1 June 2009 and also moneys in respect of the increase expected to be paid from 1 June 2008, but not made until 1 January 2009. The then Minister determined in June 2009 that the State could not afford to meet the costs of the increase that was due from 1 June 2009 and the increase was not sanctioned for payment.

It is the Government’s intention that all further cases will be vigorously defended. The Departments of Health, Public Expenditure & Reform and Finance, who are all now parties to the cases, are working with the Attorney General’s Office to progress a comprehensive and robust defence of any such claims, in the public interest.