Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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908. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to further increase the number of hospital consultants throughout the country with a view to ensuring an adequate spread of skills throughout the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8419/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Given its statutory functions in relation to medical training and approval of consultant posts I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy concerning these issues.

It is recognised that there are particular challenges in filling posts in certain specialties, including psychiatry and paediatrics, and in certain locations. The Government is committed to continuing to grow consultant numbers in accordance with established health policy. The number of training places have been increased to support further growth and to address challenges in particular specialties.

Over the past year (to 31 December 2021) 150 additional consultant posts have been filled. In that time the number of consultant (whole time equivalents) has increased from 3,458 to 3,608. Over the past 5 years numbers employed have increased by 750.