David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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290. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to end the two-tier nature of consultant pay; the way in which he plans to address same; the time frame for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17884/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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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 Slaintecare '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 in the coming weeks. It is through this engagement that all matters relating to consultants terms, conditions and additional supports will be considered.