Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1312. To ask the Minister for Health the reason he does not plan to ensure that all medical students in Ireland will receive an intern position upon graduation as was the case for the 2020 graduating class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13917/21]

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.

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.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1313. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to tackle the shortage of doctors in Ireland, especially outside Dublin; his views on whether offering an intern position to all graduating medical students, as was done in 2020, would help to alleviate this shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13918/21]

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.

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.