Increase in GP training places announced

The number of GP training places is set to increase from an intake of 258 in 2022 to 350 in 2024, a 35 per cent increase, it has been confirmed.

The total number of trainees undertaking the four-year programme will also increase from the current 932 to 1,300 in 2026 – a 45 per cent increase.

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly confirmed the increase in the number of GP training places.

The Chief Executive Officer of the ICGP, Mr Fintan Foy, said that “we welcome the Minister’s plans to increase the number of training places for general practice”.

“The workforce and workload crisis in general practice is affecting patients who have to wait longer to see their GP, as well as thousands of patients who are unable to register with a GP practice. We need more GPs and this increase in training places is a significant measure to enable more doctors to become GPs here in Ireland.”

As reported in the Medical Independent last month, the capacity on the Non-EU GP training scheme is also set to increase.

It was confirmed the numbers on the scheme will rise from 50 to 250 by the end of 2024 – a 400 per cent increase.

Minister Donnelly said: “I am committed to increasing our medical workforce. We must plan for the future. This is a hugely positive step as it offers more training places to doctors who want to specialise as general practitioners and is very good news for patients.”