Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

A number of years ago we were told we had a shortage of nurses and we greatly increased the numbers. Now we are told in another report that we have too many. I hope we can get it right with regard to doctors. We will double the number of Irish and EU medical students, either as postgraduate or undergraduate entrants. This was the first important thing to do and it was not without considerable resource implications. The number of general practitioner training places will also be increased. I accept we did not achieve 150 this year.

Deputy Reilly made a valid point with regard to people who cannot get on to the programme but have considerable experience and I would like to explore this with the college. I would certainly be open to this. As Deputy Reilly knows, we have 6,000 non-consultant hospital doctors and 2,000 consultants and it should be the other way around. People in a hospital environment may be suitable for general practice if they can access appropriate training.

I have met general practitioners who cannot access a GMS list because of a previous industrial relations agreement. This also needs to be examined so any doctor qualified here as a general practitioner can take on GMS patients. In some areas, this has been challenged.

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