Vol. 422 No. 5
113 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement in response to a recent survey (details supplied) by the Postgraduate Medical and Dental Board which suggests that interns are emigrating from this country because of their perception of better training abroad.
The survey to which the Deputy refers was carried out among 360 doctors who completed their internship on 30 June, 1992 and the results are at present being analysed.
Preliminary indications are that approximately 15 per cent of interns going abroad are doing so because of their own perceptions that training abroad is better. This country has a tradition of medical graduates taking up posts abroad to gain experience. Their reasons for choosing to do so may vary greatly as I understand the present survey will show.
The fact that the majority return to practice in this country, bringing with them the benefit of the experience and skills gained abroad, is a significant asset to the Irish health service.
