Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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90. To ask the Minister for Health the efforts he has taken to address chronic recruitment issues in the CHO 1 region; his plans to revisit the centralised system of recruitment via the Consultant Appointments Advisory Committee and the Public Appointments Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28256/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The need to increase the numbers of consultants and other health professionals in the public health service is a priority for me against a backdrop of global shortages in health professionals and international competition for staff trained in Ireland.

The HSE has been focused on addressing issues associated with the creation and approval of consultant posts and successful recruitment. The Consultant Appointments Advisory Committee remains in place and is considered a necessary measure to manage consultant appointments.  The HSE is also giving effect to the report 'Towards Successful Consultant Recruitment, Appointment and Retention', completed in December 2016. It is also focused on implementing the recommendations of the 'MacCraith Group' to support the recruitment and retention of NCHDs.

I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly on measures being taken to address specific recruitment issues in the CHO 1 region.