Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she will take to increase the number of general practitioner training places in 2010; the discussions the Health Service Executive have held with the Irish College of General Practitioners in relation to same; if additional resources will be made available for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45607/09]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the recent ESRI finding that some 350 general practitioners will retire between 2006 and 2010, 450 will retire between 2011 and 2015 and more than 500 will retire between 2016 and 2020; the action she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45622/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 67 together.

I am aware of the potential shortage of General Practitioners (GPs) highlighted in the recent ESRI Report and the June 2009 FÁS Report.

There is currently one model of GP Training in Ireland, which is provided by the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP). This is a four year model, with 2 years based in hospital rotations and 2 years on an approved GP training programme. At present, there are 120 GP training places per year.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been working on an ongoing basis to address the deficit in the number of new general practitioners entering the Irish health service each year. This work, to date, has focused on a proposal to the ICGP to substantially increase the intake of GP trainees from July 2010 onwards. This proposed increase is being considered in the context of the re-organisation of GP training structures and resources to reflect the regional organisation of the HSE. This proposal is part of ongoing discussions between the Executive and the ICGP.

The HSE is also in discussion with the Irish College of General Practitioners to identify a mechanism of up-skilling long term locums or assistants who are not eligible for GMS contracts because they have not undertaken/passed the Membership of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP) examination and have not obtained membership of the College through the award of a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Training (CSCT) from the Medical Council. An alternative model of training has been discussed to enable them to access the specialist register and thus become eligible to take on GMS posts.

Other measures to address the GP manpower issue include:

A list of GMS GP posts has been advertised centrally on the HSE Website.

A recruitment drive is being undertaken in the UK and EU countries to attract qualified GPs to Ireland.

The HSE is encouraging GP assistantships and partnerships in relation to upcoming retirements.

The HSE is issuing new GMS panels in regions urgently requiring additional GPs.

Some restrictions on entry to the GMS Scheme have been removed.

The retirement provisions for GPs holding contracts under the GMS and other schemes have been extended.

The HSE is continuing to develop 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, 145 Primary Care Teams have been established. These are centred on multidisciplinary team working, which reduces the need for GPs to carry out duties which are more appropriate for other team members and ensures that patient care is provided on a combined team-based approach.

I am confident that these measures will have a positive impact on any potential shortage in GP numbers. However, I will continue to liaise with the HSE, the training bodies and relevant organisations to ensure that appropriate measures are implemented to deal with any threat to the numbers of GPs.