One in four Irish doctors are working more than 48 hours per week, while over 1,000 voluntarily left the medical register in 2024 to practice abroad, according to a new Medical Council report highlighting critical workforce shortages. The study found that nearly half of those working excessive hours are providing direct patient care beyond the 48-hour weekly limit, with a quarter of doctors reporting difficulty providing proper patient care at least once weekly due to workload pressures. Despite having over 30,000 doctors on the medical register, only 20,962 are actively practicing in Ireland.
The Medical Council described this gap as evidence of an “urgent” need for strategic investment in training, recruitment, and retention programs. The workforce increasingly relies on internationally trained doctors, who comprise 27.8% of active practitioners. Most obtained qualifications in Pakistan (39.7%) and Sudan (21.3%), though some report difficulties securing employment despite registration. Of the 1,025 doctors who withdrew from the register last year, over 600 left for overseas positions.
The exodus included 352 Irish-trained doctors, 172 from EU/UK institutions, and 501 international graduates, with many citing better career prospects, higher pay, and improved working conditions abroad. Medical Council representative Jantze Cotter warned that excessive working hours contribute to “stress, burnout and absenteeism,” directly impacting patient outcomes. The council emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to prevent further workforce deterioration in Ireland’s healthcare system.