Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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343. To ask the Minister for Health the number of doctors who began specialist GP training each year from 2012 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43640/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the body responsible for education and training in general practice. The GP training course provided by the ICGP is recognised by the Medical Council with successful completion allowing entry onto the General Practitioner Specialist Register.

GP training is in the main four years in duration. Applicants with appropriate qualifications prior to commencement of GP training in Medicine, Paediatrics or Emergency Medicine may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Applicants successful in obtaining RPL have their training shortened from four years to three years.

To increase the number of GPs practising in the State and improve access to GP services, significant increases have been made in recent years to the number of new entrant GP training places. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% over the last 5 years alone.

The number of new trainees to the GP training programme for each year from 2012 to 2024 is set out below.