Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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627. To ask the Minister for Health when public health doctors can apply to become consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39554/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The creation of consultant level roles in Public Health Medicine is a priority for me and my Department.

The Department and HSE have now finalised a detailed framework for a future Public Health model, to include consultant level roles. The business case, outlining the proposed framework, was submitted to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for consideration on the 19^thNovember 2020.

Our public health specialists have been to the forefront of our response to the pandemic in Ireland. They have made an enormous contribution to the protection of everybody living in Ireland. I want to work with our public health specialists to make sure we have the best public health structure possible and hope that the issue can be resolved through engagement with the IMO and that industrial action can be avoided.