Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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567. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of increasing the number of general practitioner training places from 161 to 180; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21069/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Partnership Government emphasises the need to focus on enhancing primary healthcare services, including building up GP capacity and increasing the number of therapists and other health professionals in primary care. The annual GP training intake has increased from 120 prior to 2010 to 158 in 2015. In 2016, this will increase to 172 and it is envisaged that the intake number will increase further in 2017 and 2018.

There are currently 14 GP Specialist (Vocational) Training Programmes in operation in Ireland and doctors who wish to pursue GP training in Ireland may apply for a general practice training post in one of these programmes. At present, all GP training programmes are of 4 years duration and all trainees are required to complete 2 years in a hospital setting and 2 years in general practice with a GP trainer.

In addition to the salary costs of the GP trainees themselves, the overall cost of expanding GP training would depend on the cost of various training inputs required. The Department does not hold that specific data. However, it can be said that currently GP trainees are paid an average annual salary of €76,000 for the two years they spend training in a GP practice, whilst the average training cost per trainee is €33,000. Based on these figures, the indicative cost of increasing the number of GP training places from 161 to 180 would be approximately an additional €2 million per annum, and the cost of increasing the current intake of 158 to 180 would be approximately an additional €2.4 million per annum.