Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
951. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant posts approved under the Health Service Capacity Review 2018 and subsequent Sláintecare Implementation Strategy; the number filled as of 31 December 2025, broken down by speciality and hospital group; and when remaining posts are expected to be filled. [5660/26]
View answerThe Committee on the Future of Health Care report of May 2017 cited an IMO submission that referenced the need for approximately 4,700 consultants in the Irish public healthcare system. Per the IMO submission, this figure was based on the consultant to non-consultant hospital doctor ratio proposed in the 2003 National Taskforce on on Medical Staffing report (aka the Hanley report) adjusted for 2017 population levels.
Subsequent reports, including the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy did not reference a target figure for consultant growth.
Between May 2017 and November 2025 the number of consultants working in the Irish public healthcare system, grew from 2,883 whole time equivalents (WTE) to 4,829 WTE, an increase of 1,946 WTE.
This Government continues to invest in our public healthcare staff. As detailed in the HSE's 2026 National Service Plan (NSP) the recruitment ceiling for D/Health funded HSE services increased by 3,300 WTE to 136,606 WTE. The equivalent increase in DCDE funded HSE Disabilities services is 1,050 WTE. Responsibility for allocating resources has been devolved to the HSE's Regional Executive Officers who will do so on the basis of agreed service requirements and within funding/staffing limits.
