The HSE claims it has made significant progress in reducing junior doctor working hours in line with EU legislation.

With just over one week to go to a threatened strike by the IMO on the working hours issue, the HSE told irishhealth.com that less than 5% of junior doctors were now working in excess of 68 hours per week.

However, it said 34% of junior doctors (NCHDs) are currently working continuous shifts in excess of 24 hours, although this had decreased from 58% in March.

The HSE claimed substantial progress towards compliance with EU working time limits for NCHDs had been made in some hospital sites. However, it admitted reducing hours is more problematic in smaller hospitals.

The IMO wants an end to NCHDs routinely being forced to work shifts of more than 24 hours at a time and to agree with a timetable to fully implement the European Working Time Directive, which stipulates a 48-hour maximum working week, across the hospital system, by the end of 2014.

The IMO claims the HSE has so far presented no proposals for discussion on these matters in recent talks on the dispute.

According to the HSE, significant progress has been made in many hospitals in recent months to meet the two interim targets set by the European Commission of a maximum average week of 68 hours and a maximum shift period of 24 hours.

However, the IMO says not enough progress has been made on the hours issue by the HSE and industrial action plans are continuing for September 25.

The HSE claims its latest data shows that the average working week of junior doctors is currently 54 hours, but the IMO claims it is higher.

The IMO says doctors would be prepared to accept the cut in earnings involved in any reduction in long working  hours.

The HSE told irishhealth.com that the average total earnings per individual junior doctor, including overtime and allowances, was €50,800 in 2012.

The total overtime payout to junior doctors last year was €85 million, while €9.3 million was paid in allowances.

The HSE said while the overtime rate payable to NCHDs was increased in 2010, the overall expenditure on junior doctor overtime has decreased significantly over the past four years.

LRC talks on the dispute are due to continue this week.