Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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454. To ask the Minister for Health the reason 88% of final year medical students have no intention of working here, when they qualify; the serious implications this has for the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15356/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The recruitment and retention of doctors at all levels – from medical graduate to specialist – is a priority for me as Minister for Health. In this context, I am committed to the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structure.

In July 2013, a Working Group, chaired by Prof. Brian MacCraith, President, Dublin City University, was established to carry out the Strategic Review. The Working Group was tasked with examining and making 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;

- Realising maximum benefit from investment in medical education and training.

The Working Group completed its work in mid-2014 and, in all, submitted three reports and made 25 recommendations. The reports address a range of barriers and issues relating to the recruitment and retention of doctors in the Irish public health system.

The Strategic Review recommendations are being implemented through a range of structures and processes across the health system. Each recommendation has an identified business owner and progress updates are sought by my Department on a regular basis.To support implementation of the recommendations, my Department has also established an Implementation Monitoring Group, comprising key stakeholders including trainee doctors. This approach will help drive implementation across the system and embed the recommendations in the day-to-day business practice of the health system.

As the Deputy may be aware, the first six-monthly progress report on the implementation of the recommendations was published on 5th March last on my Department’s website. The next report will be finalised and published this summer so that all stakeholders, in particular trainee doctors, can assess the progress being made across the range of Strategic Review recommendations.