Mr. Val Moran:

I will deal with the Senator's first question on out-of-hours services. There is a particular situation in Galway but the vast majority of GPs are members of some form of co-operative or out-of-hours arrangement. It is a very high percentage, around 97%, I believe, but I can get the exact figure for the Senator. Even where there are such arrangements in place, there are significant issues, for example, rosters can vary and GPs working in more remote areas are more likely to be on duty more frequently. All GPs in most areas must pay for the red-eye cover, which is where they pay for a locum to cover the 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. shift. There are significant problems with the out-of-hours services. We are seeking a review to make sure the system becomes more equitable for all GPs working in it, individual GPs incur less cost and these services become less of a barrier for GPs to enter into the system. Perhaps the ICGP will address the training aspect of the Senator's question.