Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1925. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the HSE decision to reduce the number of intern places being offered for the 2021 cohort of medical graduates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15916/21]

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.