Dr. Pádraig McGarry:

Through the ICGP, Irish College of General Practitioners, there is an agreement that it will expand its training to that level. At the end of that level, one would expect to arrive at the numbers needed. That is what is on the ground. The problem, however, is that we are not retaining them and, unfortunately, they are going elsewhere. The underlying problems causing the lack of retention are the real issue. One could possibly retain them through creating the right environment. Many GPs have left Ireland If the environment in which GPs work was brought to a more favourable position, one could see a return of numbers which may make up the shortfall. At the moment, that is not the case.