Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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258. To ask the Minister for Health the number of doctors currently registered here; if any studies or assessments have been carried out to ascertain the number of doctors required in the State to deal with any capacity constraints that may arise. [45495/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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As of 23rd October 2013, 18,448 doctors retained registration with the Medical Council. Under the provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 it is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE), in co-operation with the medical training bodies and after consultation with the Higher Education Authority, to undertake appropriate medical workforce planning for the purpose of meeting specialist medical staffing and training needs of the health service on an ongoing basis, and to assess on an annual basis the number of intern training posts and the number and type of specialist medical training posts required by the health service. In this context, the Deputy's question has been referred to the Executive for direct reply.