Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
1302. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the arrangement piloted in 2020 by which additional intern positions for newly qualified doctors were created in the public hospital system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13885/21]
View answerOver the past number of weeks, my Department and the HSE have been reviewing the option to increase the number of medical intern places for July 2021. I am happy to announce an increase of 120 medical intern posts for July 2021.
The increase in the number of intern places will be supported with accompanying increases in postgraduate training places, to ensure these doctors can avail of the next step in the training pathway following completion of an internship.
Over the next number of months, the HSE will be undertaking a formal review of the number of intern posts and postgraduate training positions to ensure the number of intern places are in line with future medical workforce planning requirements of the health service. As part of this review the clinical sites where additional intern posts are most needed will be considered to ensure that the current configuration provides the most efficient and educationally appropriate model.
