Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1859. To ask the Minister for Health the number of intern doctors working in Roscommon University Hospital and in University Hospital Galway; his plans to reduce these numbers; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15699/21]

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 organize 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.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1860. To ask the Minister for Health the number of intern doctors posts created since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic; if these intern doctors will be hired permanently or offered the opportunity to be hired permanently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15700/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 a temporary increase in the number of medical intern posts was introduced and 992 graduates commenced employment with the HSE. This increase from the previous number of 734 was an emergency measure in direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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.

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.