Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views on the proposal in the revised EU-IMF programme of financial support for Ireland regarding the elimination of restrictions on the number of general practitioners qualifying; and when he will bring forward legislation on this matter. [10695/11]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Health and Children his views of the proposal in the revised EU-IMF programme of financial support for Ireland regarding the removal of restrictions on general practitioners wishing to treat public patients as well as restrictions on advertising; and when he will bring forward legislation on this matter. [10696/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together. The EU/IMF programme provides for the introduction of legislative changes to remove restrictions to trade and competition in sheltered sectors by the end of the third quarter in 2011, including eliminating restrictions on the number of GPs qualifying and removing restrictions on GPs wishing to treat public patients as well as restrictions on advertising.

The Medical Council's current Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Medical Practitioners, published in 2009, removed restrictions on advertising by medical practitioners. Accordingly, GPs are now free to advertise their services and their prices. No further action is required on this matter.

With effect from 1 July 2010, the number of GP training places increased from 120 to 157 per annum. The GP training programme is of four years duration - two years spent in hospital posts and two years in an approved general practice.

The HSE is working with the Irish College of General Practitioners on a process to fast track GP training for doctors who already have trained in a hospital prior to undertaking the four year GP training cycle.

In relation to removing restrictions on GPs wishing to treat public patients, my officials, in consultation with the HSE, are finalising proposals for the implementation of this commitment within the specified time frame.