74 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health whether the Comhairle na nOspidéal Review on Consultant staffing for the Cork region will result in the creation of new medical consultancy posts; if so, the expected timetable for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8389/96]

, Limerick East): The Deputy will be aware that a key recommendation of the Comhairle Review on Consultant Manpower Needs for the Cork region was the establishment of a pan-hospital structure. This structure is designed to act as a vehicle for achieving consensus between the agencies in Cork with regard to the priority consultant posts and the location of these posts within the Cork hospital system. I am pleased to say that the pan-hospital structure has been operating effectively since early 1995 and I understand that its consultation process in association with the management of the agencies concerned is almost complete. I anticipate detailed proposals from the pan-hospital structure in relation to agreed priority consultant posts in the near future.

The timing of consultant appointments will depend on the availability of development funding and the competing demands for priority in use of those resources.