Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health if there are any plans to change the current arrangement whereby general practitioners in training need to work 120 hours per year in out of hours duty; the reason GPs have been singled out to undergo this measure and work for free; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55865/12]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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The Postgraduate Training Committee of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) has responsibility for the promotion and maintenance of standards of General Practice training in Ireland. The provision that GP Trainees experience a minimum of 120 hours of out-of-hours work under the supervision of a nominated trainer is contained in the ICGP's "Criteria for Postgraduate Training in General Practice 2004". Changes to the criteria document and to the standards of General Practice training in Ireland can be made only by the ICGP, under the guidance of its Assessors’ Group. I have been advised by the HSE that it is not aware of any plans by the ICGP to change the duration of the out-of-hours experience required by GP Trainees.

In September 2012, the Government approved the outcome of the review of allowances by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Following this review, the GP Trainees allowance was approved for continued payment to existing and new beneficiaries but will be subject to review or modification.

The review process had provided that sanction for payment of allowances to new beneficiaries was withdrawn with effect from 31 January 2012. For allowances that have subsequently been sanctioned following the review, arrangements have been made for the restoration of the payment of such allowances with effect from 1 February 2012.