Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Health Service Staff
735. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the cost of recruiting doctors from
overseas, including re-accommodation and transport costs; the numbers of doctors recruited;
the number who sat and failed the professional assessment; the cost of relocating those doctors;
and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8445/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): The HSE’s recent NCHD recruitment drive in
India and Pakistan and the introduction of the Supervised Division registration process has
resulted in almost 290 doctors commencing work in the Irish health service for the first time.
Following examinations in August 2011 and registration in September 2011, 236 doctors took
up duty. A further 49 took up duty on 9th January 2012 and it is anticipated that five remaining
doctors will commence work shortly.
The costs associated with this recruitment process, up to November 2011, were €1.95m. Of
this figure, refund of flight costs amounted to approximately €169,000. It should be noted that
the reduction in the need for locum/agency medical staff as a result of the appointment of these
doctors will result in savings well in excess of the amounts spent on the recruitment process
and associated issues.
A total of 116 doctors sat the examinations for the Medical Supervised Division in
November/December 2011 and 54 (47%) passed. The HSE had previously advised doctors that,
if they passed the exam, it would continue supports until they were registered. Given that the
Medical Council appeals process for the Supervised Division examination is likely to take some
time, the doctors were also advised that if they failed the examination they should return home
and pursue any appeal to their results, or application to sit a further Supervised Division
examination, from there. I understand that the great majority of doctors who did not pass the
Medical Council examination have now left Ireland.
Health Services
736. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter (details
supplied). [8474/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch): As the Deputy’s
question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health
Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Care of the Elderly
737. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views regarding budget cuts in the
Lusk Nursing Home, County Dublin, at which it is being proposed that rather than receiving
freshly cooked meals the residents will instead receive reheated meal that are to be precooked
in St. Ita’s Hospital in Portrane [8283/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services
738. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the ICT projects the Health
Service Executive intends to proceed with in 2012; if they will take account of new institutional
arrangements for the organisation and if so, the way that this will occur; if it is expected that
the investment of €40 million per year during the lifetime of this Government will reduce the
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