Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

362. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients on hospital waiting lists nationwide as of September 2025; how this compares to September 2024; the number of consultant posts that remain vacant across the HSE; and the actions being taken to address these vacancies ahead of the 2025 2026 winter season. [49454/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In relation to the number of patients on waiting lists, adult and child waiting list information by hospital, specialty, and time band is published monthly by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) on its website: www.ntpf.ie/home/nwld.htm.

The information is now being made available through an interactive visual tool which provides users with a much-improved way of accessing and analysing waiting list information.

With regard to the Deputy's query about consultant posts, as of 30 June 2025 there are 4,336 filled consultant posts in the health service. This is made up of 3,858 posts filled by permanent consultants and 478 filled by temporary, locum and agency staff. There are currently 312 approved vacant posts.

As well as increasing the number of training places, there are a number of talent and attraction initiatives to increase the candidate pool, examples of which are:

• The HSE has developed a suite of webinars for Higher Specialist Trainees (HST) students to encourage them to take up vacant posts - Recording is available on the HSE Career Hub.
• Webinars for international applicants to support them in their recruitment journey and encourage them to these posts in Ireland - The most recent was on the 9th of September, which had registration numbers of 400. This recording will be available on the HSE Career Hub and can be accessed by and shared with any potential applicants.
• Targeted marketing has been conducted in difficult to fill positions, a close collaboration between the local clinicians and HSE HR - These were not just about marketing the jobs but also the lifestyle. This has been conducted for Psychiatry in Donegal and CAMHS in Kerry, and also for Breastcheck screening services and a number of hospitals.
• To support Doctors in developing their career in the HSE, the HSE has published a suite of career pathways on the career hub.
• There are also a broad range of other talent attraction and retention initiatives, which encompass all clinical professions, including the development of a suite of international supports and targeted initiatives to attract home Irish graduates.