911 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the dramatic reduction in doctors taking up general practitioner practice; his plans to counteract this major problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15427/02]
Demand for places on the general practice training scheme for 2002 once again exceeded the number of places available. A total of 192 applications were received for 79 places. This indicates that general practice is still an attractive specialist option for medical graduates.
My Department is currently engaged in discussions with the health boards and the Irish College of General Practitioners in relation to the expansion of the number of places available on the training schemes.
