David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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872. To ask the Minister for Health when a new chairperson will be appointed to chair talks on a new consultant public only contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14175/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to introducing the Sláintecare Consultant Contract to hospital consultants in our health service as soon as possible. The Contract is currently the subject of engagement with the representative bodies. The Minister and the Government are currently giving consideration to appointing a replacement for the previous Chair, and these considerations are ongoing.

As this talks process has not concluded, it would not be appropriate to make public details about the talks at this time, save to say that I, my officials and the HSE are committed to introducing a new contract as soon as practicable.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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873. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address two-tier pay and pay inequality issues for hospital consultants that had pay cut by up to 30% in austerity budgets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14176/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that the differential in pay with consultants recruited prior to October 2012 is a significant issue for new-entrant consultants recruited since then.

The 30% differential introduced in 2012 was substantially reversed following engagement in 2015, particularly at the top of the relevant scales. However the differential increased in 2018 following the settlement of the High Court cases taken by pre-2012 consultants. At present, the difference at top of scale is approximately 11-15%, depending on contract type, though greater at entry points.

This matter is being considered as part of the ongoing Sláintecare consultant contract negotiations with the consultants' representative bodies. With that in mind, further public comment on this matter would not be appropriate at this time, save to say that specific consideration is being given to the issue within the current process.