IHCA blames Tallaght X-ray crisis on manpower shortage

Tallaght Hospital has seven consultant radiologists, and it should have 18, the IHCA has stated in a response to the story about tens of thousands of X-rays at Tallaght not being reviewed by consultant radiologists.
The IHCA has also stated that the HSE, which is ultimately responsible for funding public hospitals, should not be leading a review of this matter.
From the IHCA press release:

The IHCA shares the concerns of those adult patients whose diagnosis was delayed over the past four years in Tallaght Hospital. The Association understands that there have been no delays in the reporting of children’s X-Rays.
It is important to note that Tallaght is the second busiest of the Dublin Teaching Hospitals. It had just seven (6.5 Wholetime Equivalent) Consultant Radiologists, which is much less than any of the other teaching hospitals. The accepted and recommended standard is that Tallaght should have eighteen Consultant Radiologists for the volume of work it is required to deliver.
The Consultant Radiologists, both individually and collectively, brought the growing delay in reporting X-rays to the attention of hospital management over the past number of years. In excess of forty letters were written to Hospital management about this matter by the Radiologists.
The Health Service Executive has responsibility for adequately funding our public hospitals. It is also responsible for deciding on staffing levels, particularly at Consultant level. It also receives monthly details of the activity in each of our public hospitals.
Given its own responsibilities in this matter, the IHCA does not believe that the HSE is the appropriate agency to review the history of this unfortunate development.