666. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the way he can reconcile the approval and sanction of the appointment of additional hospital consultants without parallel sanction of additional junior doctors, advance nurse practitioners, nurses and administrative back up; if he will strategically link just sanctions together in the interests of best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36112/24]

As this is an operational matter, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.