The Higher Education Authority has advised that the total number of medical graduates for the period 2007 to 2011, the latest year available, is as follows: -
2007 - 725
2008 - 680
2009- 693
2010 - 780
2011 - 738
The intern year is the first year of postgraduate medical training and a medical practitioner cannot be fully accredited without successfully completing it.Under the provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 it is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) to assess, on an annual basis, the number of intern training posts required by the health service. My Department is in regular contact with the HSE in relation to the issue of intern places with the aim, in so far as is possible, of providing a sufficient number of intern places for Irish/EU graduates from Irish medical schools.
There are 639 intern posts available for the July 2013 intake. Information regarding the nationality of post holders is collated on an EEA / non-EEA basis. To date, all intern posts have been filled each year with no shortfalls. Furthermore, all EEA graduates from Irish medical schools, who sought an intern post and who met the eligibility requirements, were accommodated. The HSE remain confident that this year will be no exception.