Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1042. To ask the Minister for Health the date on which he plans to end pay inequality for hospital consultants. [14873/20]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1183. To ask the Minister for Health his views on pay equalisation for hospital consultants; the actions will he take to secure this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15481/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1042 and 1183 together.

At present 'new entrant' consultants recruited since 1 October 2012 are on lower pay scales than those recruited prior to that date.

The De Buitléir Group established to examine how to give effect to the Sláintecare recommendation on the removal of private practice from the public hospital system recommended the introduction of a Sláintecare 'public only' Contract going forward, with pay parity confined to consultants who would take up this contract. It specifically recommended that the contract be made available to any serving consultants who would choose to move to it in addition to all future recruits.

The Programme for Government provides for the finalisation of the new Sláintecare Consultant Contract and the introduction of related legislation to support 'public-only work' in public hospitals. The FEMPI Acts currently prohibit pay increases for serving public servants and will require amendment to enable pay increases for serving consultants who move to the Sláintecare 'public only' Consultant Contract.

It is my intention to commence engagement with the representative bodies in relation to this Programme for Government commitment as a matter of priority. It is through this engagement that all matters relating to consultants terms, conditions and additional supports will be considered.