Public-only contract breaches 'beyond Rotunda' - Soc Dems

The Social Democrats allege that breaches of the public-only consultant contract are an emerging pattern across Ireland, extending beyond the recent controversy at the Rotunda Hospital. Deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan stated that whistleblowers have approached his party with concerns regarding consultants undertaking private work while on public-only contracts.

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There is an emerging pattern around the country of breaches of the public-only consultant contract, the Dáil has heard.

An internal HSE audit, dated March 2026, highlighted inadequate oversight and management in the phased elimination of private work within public hospitals. The audit noted insufficient supervision of increased consultant rostering during weekends and evenings, which is intended to enhance public care provision under the contract.

Speaking in the Dáil, O'Callaghan cited reports indicating that obstetricians at the Rotunda Hospital, who still engage in private practice, allegedly "gift" up to €1,500 to colleagues on public-only contracts for delivering babies of their private patients on weekends. Similar practices are reportedly occurring at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). Social Democrats' health spokesperson Padraig Rice claimed this practice happens on weekends due to the rostering systems at CUMH and the Rotunda.

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This is clearly an issue beyond the Rotunda.

Concerns have also been raised about University Hospital Galway, where consultants on public-only contracts are allegedly asked to perform lab work for private patients. While many refuse, this is reportedly causing significant delays in processing samples for public patients, including those with cancer. The hospital is even outsourcing some lab work to commercial labs at considerable public expense due to these delays.

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Obstetricians in the Rotunda who can still do private practice are 'gifting' up to €1,500 to colleagues on public-only contracts who deliver the baby of one of their private patients at weekends.

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin declined to comment specifically on the Cork and Galway situations, seeking clarification on whether protected disclosures were made to the HSE. He stated he was unaware of the "gifts" reported at the Rotunda but suggested Revenue, the tax authority, would likely be aware of the media reports.

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The hospital has a deal in place to do lab work for a private hospital. Consultants on public-only contracts are being asked by the hospital to do lab work for private patients.