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

788. To ask the Minister for Health the number of hospital consultants employed on Sláintecare contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16537/22]

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

The Sláintecare Consultant Contract has not yet been introduced, and is currently the subject of engagement between my officials, the HSE, and the representative bodies for hospital consultants. As this process has not concluded, it would not be appropriate to make public details about the talks at this time, save to say that I remain committed to introducing a new contract as soon as practicable.

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

789. To ask the Minister for Health the different types of consultant contracts in place, a brief explanation of what each contract entails; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16538/22]

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

At present four contract types, originally introduced in 2008, are in place for offering to hospital consultants in the public health service:

- Contract Type A - requires a full public patient commitment, and with significantly higher rates of public salary than the contract types that permit private practice. Consultants holding a Type A contract commit not to engage in privately remunerated professional practice.

- Contract Type B - Consultants holding a Type B contract may undertake private practice on-site, up to a limit of 20% of activity.

- Contract Type B* - Consultants holding a B* Contract previously held a 1997 contract before transferring to the 2008 contract. They may engage in on-site and off-site private practice, and their private practice activity in the public hospital is subject to a 20% maximum limit (serving consultants whose private practice in 2006 was greater than 20% are permitted to retain this higher ratio, subject to an overriding maximum ratio of 70:30%).

- Contract Type C - Consultants holding a Type C Contract may engage in on-site and off-site private practice. Their inpatient and outpatient private practice activity in the public hospital is subject to the 20% maximum limit.

All of the contract types entail provisions for other aspects of the employment relationship, including probation period, reporting relationship, hours, salary, superannuation, and other elements.