David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

847. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for resolving the public health doctor pay dispute; if he will replace their temporary contract with a consultant contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11513/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This pandemic has highlighted that public health medicine must be reformed and strengthened to ensure that the skills and expertise of public health specialists can be leveraged to ensure maximum return for the Irish health service and ultimately benefit and improve the health of the population as a whole as envisaged in Crowe Horwath Report.

The HSE has completed a substantial amount of work on a detailed framework for the future public health model that includes consultant level roles. A process of engagement has begun between health service management and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO). The Department of Health and the HSE met with the IMO on the 27th of January. A second meeting took place on the 3^rdof February and a number of subsequent meetings have taken place since. Further meetings between the parties are scheduled to take place over the coming weeks with a view to resolving the matter.