Ireland’s Sláintecare consultant contract is drawing overseas doctors

Ireland's public-only Sláintecare consultant contract has reshaped the offer for senior doctors — and a significant share of new consultants are now arriving from overseas.

Since its introduction, the public-only consultant contract has been signed by thousands of consultants in Ireland. It pairs a competitive salary scale with a defined commitment to public patients, and for many doctors it has made a consultant post in Ireland more appealing than the alternatives.

Why doctors are moving

The contract's headline salary is among the most competitive in Europe for public-sector consultants, and Ireland has actively recruited to fill hundreds of consultant vacancies across specialties. Reporting in recent years found that a notable proportion of new-entrant consultants had come to Ireland from a job abroad — a clear signal that the offer is landing with internationally mobile doctors.

The wider appeal

For UK-trained doctors in particular, Ireland is an easy cultural and professional fit: English-speaking, geographically close, and with a registration route through the Irish Medical Council (IMC) that many find straightforward relative to other destinations. Specialist registration, recognised training and a shared clinical language all lower the barriers to a move.

Salary scales and contract terms are set nationally and can change, so check the current figures for your grade before deciding. Ava Medical supports doctors with IMC registration and relocation, and matches candidates to consultant, specialist and GP roles across Ireland.