Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1302. To ask the Minister for Health if he will extend the arrangement piloted in 2020 by which additional intern positions for newly qualified doctors were created in the public hospital system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13885/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Over the past number of weeks, my Department and the HSE have been reviewing the option to increase the number of medical intern places for July 2021. I am happy to announce an increase of 120 medical intern posts for July 2021.  

The increase in the number of intern places will be supported with accompanying increases in postgraduate training places, to ensure these doctors can avail of the next step in the training pathway following completion of an internship.

Over the next number of months, the HSE will be undertaking a formal review of the number of intern posts and postgraduate training positions to ensure the number of intern places are in line with future medical workforce planning requirements of the health service.  As part of this review the clinical sites where additional intern posts are most needed will be considered to ensure that the current configuration provides the most efficient and educationally appropriate model.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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1303. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to reports regarding the loss of newly qualified doctors in counties Clare and Limerick (details supplied); if this decision will be reversed to enable these doctors to stay and continue to serve in the health service here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13886/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Over the past number of weeks, my Department and the HSE have been reviewing the option to increase the number of medical intern places for July 2021.

I have announced an increase of 120 medical intern posts for July 2021. The increase in the number of intern places will be supported with accompanying increases in postgraduate training places, to ensure these doctors can avail of the next step in the training pathway following completion of an internship.

The six Intern Training Networks, that organise and oversee intern training in Ireland, are responsible for the allocation of intern posts within their particular networks. The networks have now been informed of the additional intern posts for July 2021, and will allocate the additional posts appropriately.