Record number of applications to GP training programme – College

Some 1,793 applications have been received for GP training commencing in July. This represents a record number of applicants, according to the Irish College of GPs.

There were 1,311 applications for 350 places in 2024. Currently, it is understood 350 places  will be on offer this year. Some 285 places were available in 2023 and 258 in 2022. The GP training programme is four years in length.

Speaking in December on the College’s podcast, GP Works, CEO Mr Fintan Foy said the rising interest in GP training reflected well on the specialty. However, Mr Foy noted that narrowing down such a large volume of applications was a challenge.

“GP training is always going to be a challenge because of the size of it and how it’s spread out throughout the country,” he added. Mr Foy also commented that the accommodation available to some of the schemes was “pretty poor”.

Amid the significant deficit of GPs, the State has been seeking increases in GP training places. Mr Foy revealed that the annual intake would rise to 400 in the future.

Meanwhile, Mr Foy remarked on the “serious issues” in respect of capacity in rural general practice. He said the difficulties in attracting GPs to these roles needed to be addressed.

He also highlighted the high level of growth across all levels within the College in 2024, noting that it had outgrown its current premises at Lincoln Place, Dublin. The College would hopefully be moving to a new premises in the spring or summer of 2025.

 Mr Foy cautioned that 2025 would be a challenging year in many respects, with the implementation of HSE regionalisation, the need to build a relationship with a new Government, and HSE funding levels. He also referred to global politics and potential impacts on the Irish economy and the healthcare system.

While admitting that increasing some activities in 2025 would be challenging, Mr Foy remained optimistic for the future of the College.

The RCSI has announced the appointment of Ms Alison Boyle (pictured) as Director of the university’s new public health gallery, the first of its kind in Ireland.

In her role as Gallery Director, Ms Boyle will be responsible for driving the vision and potential of the RCSI’s pioneering public engagement initiative through curated programme development. The gallery is due to open to the public in late 2025.