Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 665: To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline planned changes to general practitioners training programmes in order to fast-track training; the institutions that will be responsible for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10769/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 669: To ask the Minister for Health the number of training places available for general practitioners in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; the funding available for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10782/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 665 and 669 together.

At present, doctors who wish to pursue a career in General Practice must obtain a place on a 4 year vocational training course. Time spent on hospital rotation is not recognised for this purpose. "Fast track" training refers to a potential programme for doctors who have already gained some of the required hospital rotation experience through General Professional Training and who now wish to become GPs, but do not have access to GP Specialist training. No such programme currently exists in Ireland but the HSE is working with the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) to develop such a training programme. It is envisaged that fast track training will be managed and delivered through the existing bodies that provide GP training.

In addition, the HSE and ICGP have reached agreement on an alternative route to specialist registration for doctors who have extensive experience in General Practice, but who lack some component of training to become eligible for specialist registration as a General Practitioner. Details of this "practice based assessment model" were published on the ICGP website in September 2011. The ICGP has advertised for personnel to implement the alternative model and this recruitment process is ongoing.

In 2009, there were 120 general practice postgraduate training places available. In 2010, that number was increased to 157. Funding for GP training nationally is €19.5m.

The details of the GP trainee places from 2009 to the present, broken down by HSE Region, are set out in the tables below. HSE South

HSE Dublin N.E

HSE Dublin Mid Leinster:

HSE West