Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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676. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of places on GP training schemes throughout the country in 2014; if he will outline same on a county basis; if he will outline on a county basis the number of places that have been taken up and the number that are still available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16706/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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There are 14 GP Specialist (Vocational) Training Programmes currently in operation in Ireland. Doctors who wish to pursue GP training in Ireland may apply for a general practice training post in one of the 14 GP Training Programmes. In July 2010, the GP trainee intake increased from 120 to 157 training places per year.

As the breakdown by County of the number of GP training places is not routinely provided to the Department by the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

In July of last 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 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.