Dr. Diarmuid Quinlan:

I absolutely agree that we need a rapid response. In conjunction with the HSE, the ICGP has established a non-EU GP initiative. This is a short-term emergency response to substantially augment the number of GPs available, particularly across rural Ireland. It has already commenced. We have 18 GP candidates who are either in post or are starting in posts in the next few weeks. We have a substantial pipeline of other non-EU GPs and we are supporting these doctors with a two-year programme of education supports, protected study leave and close clinical supervision by a named GP in a practice, at the end of which they will be able to sit the MICGP professional exam. We are working hard with the HSE, and are very much supported by the HSE, to augment the GP numbers, particularly in rural areas. This is a short-term response.