Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of suitably qualified general practitioners expected to be available on a yearly basis for each of the next five years to replace retiring doctors and provide the necessary personnel for the new structures promised to replace hospital closures; if she is satisfied that sufficient personnel will be available within her training structures; if not, the locations from which they will be sourced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6447/09]

Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the contention by the Irish College of General Practitioners that the number of general practitioners who will retire in the next six years has been underestimated; the plans in place to train the necessary number of GPs; her plans to recruit GPs from abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6543/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 60 together.

Since 1st January 1995, those entering the General Medical Services (GMS) scheme are required to possess Certification of Specific Training in General Medical Practice issued under EU Directive 93/16 by the Medical Council. In order to meet the requirements for certification, the doctor undertaking GP training in Ireland must:

Satisfactorily complete a recognised training programme in general practice; and

Pass the Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) examination and obtain membership of the College through the award of a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Training (CSCT) from the Medical Council.

There are twelve GP Specialist Training Programmes (GPTPs) currently in operation which are all of four years duration — two years spent in hospital posts (SHO), under supervision of hospital consultants, and two years in an approved general practice at registrar level, under the supervision of a general practice trainer. The breakdown of the new GP training places is as follows:

The HSE has agreed to continue to fund 120 GP training places in 2009.

The determinants of the demand for GPs are diverse and include matters such as population growth, aging and health status of the population, the development of new technologies, the geographic distribution of doctors, the overall status of the economy, fees, policy initiatives, etc.

The HSE is working closely with the Irish Medical Organisation on GP Workforce Planning. A joint working group to examine this area has been established and it is scheduled to hold its first meeting this week. In addition, an extensive mapping exercise has been undertaken by the HSE and a number of measures in relation to maintaining and increasing GP numbers have been identified and are currently being progressed. These include the following:

On-going engagement with the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Medical Council in relation to increasing the number of GP training places within available resources and exploring alternative models of GP training.

Active management in each Local Health Office to encourage GP assistantship and partnership in relation to upcoming retirements where such doctors could potentially take over from the retiring GPs.

Recruitment drives in the UK and EU countries to attract qualified GPs to apply for available posts in Ireland, particularly regions experiencing difficulties attracting GPs.

Issuing of new GMS numbers in regions urgently requiring additional GPs. This is being undertaken in accordance with the established consultation process with the Irish Medical Organisation.

Continued expansion of Primary Care Teams and Primary Care Centres so that GPs applying for posts are attracted to high quality, well supported posts in suitable premises. To date, 102 teams have been established with an additional 108 teams planned for development by year end. In relation to the securing of accommodation for teams, the HSE Board has approved 92 locations to date as part of the new initiative to provide a series of modern primary care infrastructure in the country. The Government provided for the completion of 200 such primary care centres in the last budget. The programme aims to have all sites identified by the middle of this year, with a target of 50 to open by the end of 2010 and the full complement to open by 2011.

In addition to the above, research has been undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs on behalf of the Joint Department of Health and Children / HSE Working Group on Workforce Planning. This research, conducted by FÁS on behalf of the Expert Group, analysed the labour market for 12 healthcare occupations, including GPs. When finalised, it will help determine future GP workforce planning and training needs.