Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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161. To ask the Minister for Health if he will significantly increase the number of general practitioner training places following recent media reports and statements from the Irish College of General Practitioners regarding the shortage in the number of GP training places and the need to educate GPs to staff the new primary care network [52132/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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There are currently 157 GP training places per year.

In July of this year, my colleague Dr James Reilly, Minister for Health, established a Working Group, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, to carry out a Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structure. The Working Group will examine and make high-level recommendations relating to training and career pathways for doctors with a view to improving graduate retention in the public health system, planning for future service needs, and realising maximum benefit from investment in medical education and training.

Professor MacCraith was asked to furnish the Group's initial report by the end of November 2013 and its final report by the end of June 2014. In this context, I understand that the Working Group has had initial engagement with stakeholders including trainee doctors, the IMO, the Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies, the Medical Council and the HSE. Engagement with stakeholders will continue throughout the process to prepare the final report.

The HSE is currently engaged in a medical workforce planning project, which will include a workforce plan for GPs. When this work has been completed, it will assist in identifying GP requirements.