Mr. Bernard Gloster:

In respect of the totality of trying to increase the availability of GPs and sustainability of GP care, it is important to make a couple of points. We must be honest that we just do not have enough GPs. We will not try to fluff that in any way. The number of training places has increased. A decade ago, there were approximately 120 places per year. There will be 285 entering training this July. That will give us approximately 940 GPs in training across the four years. We are hoping to get to 350 in each year by 2026, which would bring us up to a profile of 1,200 in training. Separately, under the non-EU doctor scheme, which is predominantly associated with South Africa, there already 50 doctors from South Africa in the country. They are coming in cohorts of 25. They come into the country and work as doctors. They are contributing. Where we can, we are targeting them at areas where there are deficits, while respecting that people have choice. They will be under a certain regime of supervision approved by the Medical Council of Ireland and supported by the Irish College of General Practitioners. Those South African GPs will be able to register as GPs, subject to certain requirements, after two years. That will add to the base, along with the trainees themselves.

In terms of international recruitment, we of course try to assist people however we can. There are particular schemes from time to time that might help people with travel, the cost of travel, the initial cost of relocation and whatever else. Those schemes vary and fluctuate so there is no set piece in that regard.