Written answers
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Department of Health
Health Services Staff
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1028. To ask the Minister for Health the projected growth in the number of GPs working in Ireland until 2033, in tabular form. [44037/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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To increase the number of GPs practicing across the country and thereby improve access to GP services, significant increases have been made in recent years to the number of new entrant places for GP training. Annual intake to the GP training scheme has been increased by approximately 80% from 2019 to 2024. 350 training places for new entrants were made available for this year with 347 new entrants having commenced training, a 21% increase on last year’s intake of 286. Department research, based on expected GP graduates and GP retirements, indicated that over the coming years for every retiring GP between 1.5 and 3 new GPs will enter the workforce.
In addition, recruitment of GPs from abroad is ongoing under the joint International Medical Graduate (IMG) Rural GP Programme between the HSE and ICGP. 75 IMG GPs commenced in practice under the programme in 2023; recruitment is continuing this year and funding has been provided to recruit up to 250 more GPs from outside Ireland to the country next year.
The below table shows the estimated projected number of GPs working in Ireland at the beginning of each year from 2024 to 2033. No central register exists specifically for GPs actively working in Ireland. The figures below are based on HSE estimated GP workforce projections to 2031 extrapolated to 2033, and the known number of HSE contracted GPs per year, as well as full recruitment under the IMG Rural GP Programme.
Year | Projected Number of GPs |
---|---|
2024 | 3,629 |
2025 | 3,934 |
2026 | 4,206 |
2027 | 4,530 |
2028 | 4,854 |
2029 | 5,186 |
2030 | 5,527 |
2031 | 5,897 |
2032 | 6,256 |
2033 | 6,615 |
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1029. To ask the Minister for Health the number of GP training places funded from 2011 until 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44038/24]
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 practicing 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 entrants to the GP training programme for each year from 2011 to 2024 is set out in the table below:
Year | Number of New Entrants to GP Training |
---|---|
2024 | 347 |
2023 | 286 |
2022 | 258 |
2021 | 233 |
2020 | 208 |
2019 | 193 |
2018 | 194 |
2017 | 170 |
2016 | 172 |
2015 | 159 |
2014 | 157 |
2013 | 157 |
2012 | 156 |
2011 | 157 |
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1030. To ask the Minister for Health the number of paediatric orthopaedic surgeries carried out from 2016 until 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44039/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1031. To ask the Minister for Health the number of paediatric orthopaedic surgeries outsourced abroad each year from 2016 until 2024 inclusive, in tabular form. [44040/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1032. To ask the Minister for Health the number of consultants in emergency medicine employed by the HSE from 2016 (June) to 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44041/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1033. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of staff employed in the health service between 2011 (June) and 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44042/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1034. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of nurses and midwives employed in the health service between 2011 (June) and 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44043/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1035. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of HSCPs employed in the health service between 2011 (June) and 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44044/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1036. To ask the Minister for Health the number of consultants employed in the health service between 2011 (June) and 2024 (June) inclusive, in tabular form. [44045/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy Directly.
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