Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Health the number of sanctioned consultant posts; the number of sanctioned whole-time equivalent posts if different; the number of consultants on the specialist register with permanent contracts; the gap between sanctioned whole time-equivalents and employed whole-time equivalents who are on the specialist register and have permanent contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50799/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has responsibility for consultant posts which previously came under the remit of Comhairle na nOspideal. The HSE has advised that at the 30th November 2018, there were 3,215 approved consultant posts and 199 unapproved posts. This gives a total of 3,414 consultant posts. Unapproved posts are those that never went through Comhairle na nOspideal or, more recently, the HSE's Consultant Applications Advisory Committee. The number of approved posts converts to 3172.4 whole-time equivalents.

The HSE has advised that the number of consultants on the specialist register with permanent contracts stands at 2,516. However, this number excludes over 500 posts that are filled through alternative arrangements including Fixed Term Contracts, Specified Purpose Contracts, Contracts of Indefinite Duration and Agency.

Census data to the end of October 2018 identifies 3,088.48 whole-time equivalent consultants working in the public health services, excluding those on career breaks. This number is higher than at any time in the past.

It is recognised, however, that the recruitment of consultants, as identified by the Public Service Pay Commission, is a significant challenge, particularly in certain specialties and in certain locations. I and the Government recognise the importance of continuing to recruit and retain consultants and to move to a consultant delivered service.