Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health in view of the widespread concern among NCHDs, if he will request HIQA to investigate compliance with the EU Working Time Directive on the grounds of patient and doctor safety.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7600/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. I have emphasised to the Health Service Executive the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue. In January 2012, a detailed plan for the achievement of compliance by NCHDs with the Working Time Directive was submitted to the EU Commission. The plan affirmed Ireland's commitment to achieving compliance with the Directive over a three-year time period i.e. by end 2014. It committed to implementing the measures necessary, including new work patterns for medical staff, transfer of work undertaken by NCHDs to other grades and the organisation of hospital services to support compliance. The HSE National Service Plan 2013 states that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce. e Executive is currently finalising its National Operational Plan to support the implementation of the National Service Plan. This will specify in greater detail the actions to be taken in relation to EWTD compliance at hospital level.

The HSE was asked by my Department in January to ensure that clear responsibility is placed with a hospital CEO and a senior manager and/or clinical lead for the achievement of specified improvements in compliance, such that the end 2014 target will be met. The Minister may give directions in writing to the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) under the Health Acts. However, the position is that HIQA wrote to the HSE on 24th January 2013 in relation to concerns that there may be risks to patients as a result of NCHDs working in excess of 48 hours per week. In the circumstances outlined, and in particular the measures in train to address compliance with the Directive, I do not intend to intervene as the Deputy suggests.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the actions he is taking to address concerns that there will be a shortage of medical intern places for both EU and non-EU graduates of Irish medical schools this year due to the increased number of students graduating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7601/13]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health the plans he has to increase the number of medical intern positions across hospitals here to take account of the increased number of medical undergraduates; if he will be bringing forward proposals for same shortly; if he will outline the actions that are being taken; if his attention has been drawn to the Second Interim Report on the Implementation of the Reform of the Intern Year which stated that maintaining the status quo seems least desirable in terms of lost educational investment, personal impact and loss of talent to the Irish health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7594/13]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to deal with the significant increase in the number of medical school graduates for 2013 such that is anticipated that in July 2013 there will be a shortage of intern places for both EU and Non-EU graduates at Irish medical schools; if steps are being taken to implement the recommendations for an increase in intern posts as set out in the NCCMET Report; if he will outline the plans if any which are in place to deal with this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7597/13]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm if the number of intern places for graduates of medical colleges here will be increasing in view of the fact that there has been an increase in the number of medical students in recent years in view of the immense benefit such intern places are to graduates for gaining valuable practical experience. [7669/13]

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health in view of the increase in medical students/graduates, if the shortage of medical intern placement has been bought to his attention, which will have serious implications for medical graduates in the immediate years going forward; if he will have the matter examined to increasing the number of places available for students;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7709/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 221, 222, 233 and 234 together.

The issue of an adequate number of intern places in the Irish medical system is a priority for my Department and for the HSE. The HSE established an Intern Implementation Group in 2009 to implement aspects of the Report of the NCMET on the Intern Year and I am aware that this Group has issued two Implementation Reports, most recently in April 2012 (Second Interim Report). The intern year is an integral part of medical training, and a medical practitioner cannot be fully accredited without it. There were 572 posts available in Ireland for the July 2012 intern intake, an increase of almost 70 posts since 2007. To date, there have been sufficient posts for all EU graduates from Irish medical schools, and a number of available posts for some non-EU applicants. My Department has been in regular contact with the HSE in relation to the issue of intern places, with the aim, in so far as is possible, to provide a sufficient number of intern places for Irish/EU graduates from Irish medical schools. In addition, under EU law, intern posts must be open to graduates from other EU countries and the HSE has no control over the numbers applying.

The application process for internships closed in November last, but the HSE will not know the final number of eligible applicants for some time. The final numbers that will proceed to the first round match have not yet been determined, as the overseas candidates must pass the entrance test, pass the HSE English language requirements, provide a Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate, and pass their final year medical exams. Candidates applying from within Ireland must provide a BLS certificate and pass their final year medical exams. This year the HSE will have approximately 80 additional posts available for interns commencing their training in July. In total, therefore, there will be in the region of 650 places available for 2013, and the HSE estimates that this will be sufficient to ensure that every EU graduate of the six Irish medical schools can access an internship.