James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of general practitioner training places here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39106/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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There are 12 General Practitioner (GP) Specialist Training Programmes currently in operation which are all of four years duration – two years spent in hospital posts, under the supervision of hospital consultants, and two years in an approved general practice at registrar level, under the supervision of a general practice trainer. In 2009, there were 120 GP training places available for new trainees. The HSE is in discussion with the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) regarding the scope for increasing the 120 GP training places currently available per year by streamlining existing programmes in a cost effective manner.