Health Services Staff

Tuesday, 23 June 2026

Questions (778)

David Cullinane

Question:

778. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to private practice consultants offering or giving gifts to public only contract consultants in return for handling their patients on days which they are absent from work or not rostered, or similar practices involving the gift or favour-giving to public only consultants for work which would have typically been billed as private work under old contracts; the hospitals where she has identified the existence of such a practice; the hospitals which she has audited to determine the extent of such a practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47429/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

The Minister has made it very clear, both publicly and directly to the Rotunda Hospital, that consultants on the Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC) are not permitted to engage in private practice within public hospitals. This position is unequivocal. There are no exemptions, arrangements or deviations from the terms of the contract. It is the Minister’s expectation that all hospitals and all consultants are fully compliant with the terms of the contract.

Where practices have arisen that are not consistent with the contract, these must cease immediately, and steps must be taken locally to ensure full compliance without delay. At the Minister’s request, the HSE is undertaking a comprehensive review across all public hospitals to ensure adherence to the POCC. The HSE will take any actions necessary to address issues identified and to ensure consistent implementation nationwide. The focus is on ensuring full compliance across the system.