Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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577. To ask the Minister for Health when the MICGP/alternative pathway scheme will be introduced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18228/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the recognised professional body for general practice and as such is the standard setting body on behalf of the Irish Medical Council. Any alternative route to membership of the College must be approved by the ICGP and must be of equivalent standard to the conventional route to membership, i.e. formal training undertaken in an accredited GP training programme and completion of end point assessment - the MICGP examination.

In March 2009, the College sought a declaration of interest in order to gauge the level of interest in the alternative route to membership. In the interim, consideration needed to be given to the criteria for eligibility, possible models of assessment and the budgetary and funding implications. In February 2012, an online pre-application questionnaire was carried out to determine the number of potential applicants who may be eligible. 173 applicants responded, 135 approx. of whom are likely to meet the criteria and also meet the requirements in order to engage in the assessment process. A programme director was formally appointed for this project in May 2012 and work is underway to set up the structures and processes required to implement the alternative route. The various assessment components are being prepared for pilot at present. The College will open the process for the taking of applications from 23 April 23, 2013.

The eligibility criteria for application for this route to membership have been agreed by the ICGP Postgraduate Training Committee and this was endorsed by the Council of the College in March 2011. It details the minimum requirements with regard to GP experience and training and attainment of this experience and training within defined dates. Of its nature, selection criteria may exclude some applicants. It is impossible to comment on an individual doctor's eligibility for participation in the Alternative Route Programme until they formally apply and supply the necessary details to the programme team for assessment. All information will be updated on the ICGP website after 23 April 23 on the following link: