All doctors on the Medical Council's register, including GPs, are required to maintain professional competence by enrolling in professional competence schemes and engaging in maintenance of professional competence activities in relation to their practice.
One of the methods used to fulfill part of the professional competence requirements for the Medical Council is small group learning, as seen in the GP Continuing Medical Education National Tutor Network. The HSE provides some support towards professional competence activities for GPs by funding the Tutor Network. These tutors provide teaching to GPs in active practice to keep them up to date with medical information in relation to general practice. In addition, the Irish College of General Practitioners provides elearning modules, courses, conferences and advice on achieving the professional competence requirements.
As the issue raised is a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.