Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I outlined in my reply to the Deputy on 5th November, the Government is committed to the establishment of the grade of consultant in public health medicine, taking account of the related proposals in Sláintecare, the recommendations of Dr Gabriel Scally in his report into CervicalCheck and the recommendations in the Crowe Horwath Report concerning the specialty.

This important step is being progressed in conjunction with the development of a new framework and service model for public health that is currently in train. The proposed framework is now being considered by the HSE's management team. As part of the overall process, my Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is also engaged in negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation in relation to contractual issues for the proposed grade.

While it is not possible to be definitive in terms of a timeline, given that consideration of the new structures is ongoing within the HSE and having regard to the nature of industrial relations engagement, I would hope that the new structures and the Contract for the grade will be settled by the middle of next year.